What Researchers Did
Researchers looked back at the medical records of 178 patients treated for decompression illness in hyperbaric centers across Thailand over four years.
What They Found
The study found that 73.6% of patients achieved complete resolution of symptoms, while 26.4% had residual symptoms. Traditional divers faced a higher risk of residual symptoms at 42%, and spinal cord involvement was strongly linked to incomplete recovery. Missing safety stops was also a strong predictor of incomplete outcomes.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian divers, this study reinforces the critical importance of adhering to diving safety protocols, such as performing safety stops, to reduce the risk of lasting symptoms from decompression illness. It also highlights the potential severity of DCI when the spinal cord is affected, emphasizing the need for prompt and appropriate treatment.
Canadian Relevance
This study covers decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism, both of which are Health Canada-recognized indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Study Limitations
As a retrospective study, it relied on existing medical records which may have contained incomplete data or lacked specific details.