Study: POCs improve survival rates

GOLETA, Calif. – Portable oxygen concentrators are associated with improved survival rates, according to a new study from Inogen. 

The study also showed that POC use, either alone or in combination with other oxygen modalities, was associated with improved health care resource use, such as hospitalizations and specialist visits, compared to stationary concentrators, compressed tanks and liquid oxygen. 

Additionally, based on the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), POCs were cost-effective compared to stationary concentrators, compressed tanks and liquid oxygen, the study found. 

“The study highlights what we have known anecdotally about portable oxygen therapies, and Inogen devices,” said Kevin Smith, president and CEO, Inogen. “We have long believed that mobile oxygen therapies, primarily portable oxygen concentrators, are associated with improved health outcomes, affordability and patient quality of life. We are proud that this study confirms the value proposition of our devices. Looking forward, we will continue to expand the adoption of our effective and high-quality POCs, enabling even more patients to experience these benefits.” 

The study, which sourced data from the French national health care system database, the Système National des Données de Santé (SNDS), and was published in Pulmonary Therapy, looked at data from more than 244,000 adult long-term oxygen therapy patients from 2013-20. 

As part of the study, two sub-groups were classified based on device autonomy i.e. higher mobility and lower mobility groups. The higher mobility POC sub-group were allocated Inogen devices and had an autonomy greater than five hours, while the lower mobility POC sub-group were allocated non-Inogen devices and had an autonomy less than five hours. Within the POC group, the higher mobility POC sub-group was associated with better survival, lower health care resource use and lower related costs vs. the lower mobility POC sub-group. 

• To read the published study, please visit: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41030-024-00259-x