Study Finds No Survival Benefit in Reducing Oxygen for Critically Ill Patients

Recent research indicates that lowering supplementary oxygen levels in ICU patients does not significantly impact their chances of survival, nor does it cause harm. This large-scale study, known as UK-ROX, is the most extensive of its kind in the UK, involving 16,500 patients across nearly 100 hospitals. The trial aimed to determine whether a conservative approach—maintaining oxygen saturation at around 90%—would improve outcomes, but results showed no statistically significant difference compared to standard oxygen therapy. About 35.4% of patients receiving conservative oxygen therapy died within 90 days, compared to 34.9% in the usual care group.

The findings suggest that it is safe to allow lower oxygen levels in critically ill patients, but it does not necessarily enhance survival rates. Experts emphasize the importance of developing personalized oxygen strategies tailored to individual patient conditions to further improve outcomes. The study was led by researchers from the University of Plymouth’s Peninsula Medical School and the Intensive Care National Audit & Research Center (ICNARC). Co-chief investigator Professor Daniel Martin highlighted that while oxygen therapy remains a fundamental part of ICU care, more precise, individualized approaches are needed.

The trial demonstrated that conducting large, cost-effective clinical studies in routine NHS settings is feasible, with UK-ROX costing around £100 per patient. Researchers now advocate for designing therapies that better target each patient’s specific needs, potentially leading to improved survival and recovery. The study was published in JAMA and presented at the Critical Care Reviews Meeting 2025. For more details, visit https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-oxygen-critically-ill-patients-chances.html.