The Gas Review reports that it seems the number of patients undergoing home oxygen therapy (HOT) in Japan in FY2010 increased by around 3,000 people over FY 2009.
While it had previously been thought that the number of HOT patients would keep increasing by an annual 4,000 or more in view of an ageing society, it seems that this has actually levelled out slightly and the increase has become slower.
According to a survey implemented by the Japan Industrial and Medical Gases Association (JIMGA), The Gas Review notes, the number of patients using oxygen concentrators has increased – while the number of patients using liquid oxygen supply equipment and installed oxygen cylinders has decreased.
Of the entire number of patients, the ratio of patients using liquid oxygen supply equipment is expected to decrease even further from the current 4% level.
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