What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 interventional studies, including 9 randomized trials with 1526 patients, to evaluate adjunctive therapies for diabetic foot ulcers.
What They Found
The addition of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to conventional care significantly increased healing rates (Peto odds ratio, 14.25; 95% confidence interval, 7.08-28.68) and reduced major amputation rates (odds ratio, 0.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.10-0.89). Arterial pump devices showed a favorable effect on complete healing in two small trials, while iloprost and pentoxifylline had no significant effect on amputation rates.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with diabetic foot ulcers may benefit from adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy to improve healing and reduce the risk of amputation. While some arterial pump devices showed promise, other pharmacologic agents like iloprost and pentoxifylline did not demonstrate significant benefits.
Canadian Relevance
This systematic review and meta-analysis did not include any studies with a direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The overall risk of bias in the included studies was moderate, and some findings were based on small trials or lacked comparative data.