What Researchers Did
Researchers systematically reviewed recent literature to assess the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in reducing symptoms of radiation cystitis.
What They Found
They identified 20 papers involving 815 patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy for radiation cystitis. The weighted average overall response rate was 87.3%, with a complete response rate of 65.3%. Adverse events occurred in 9.6% of patients, but permanent side-effects were rare.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients suffering from radiation cystitis may find hyperbaric oxygen therapy to be an effective treatment option with minimal side effects. However, its high cost and limited availability could pose challenges to accessing this therapy.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The main limitation was the low level of evidence from the included studies, necessitating more prospective research.