Evaluation of the role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers: a prospective comparative study

Abstract

Aim/Objectives

This prospective study aims to assess the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in diabetic foot ulcers in relation to standard wound care.

Methods

This was a single centre prospective study conducted from January 2007 to March 2015 by the department of surgery. In total, 240 consenting patients with foot ulcers of at least two weeks duration were randomized with the help of a random number generator into two groups each comprising 120 patients: the HBOT group (to receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy along with standard wound care) and the ASD group (to receive standard wound care only). The six-week treatment phase was followed by a six-week follow-up phase. Wounds were monitored using the Bates-Jensen Wound assessment scale. For all statistical analysis, a p-value of less than 0.05 was taken to indicate a significant difference.

Results

Of the 240 patients, 164 were male and 36 female. The duration of diabetes was not statistically significant (p-value 0.707). In the study group, the wounds of 22 (88) (73.3%) patients healed in less than eight weeks (i.e. 56 days), vs. only 4(16) (13.3%) patients in the control group, which was statistically significant (p value <0.001)

Conclusion

This study further supports and recommends HBOT for the management of diabetic foot ulcers as there is marked increase in the rate of wound healing as compared to standard wound care and dressings alone.

http://ift.tt/2cRTkSf