What Researchers Did
Researchers reviewed 49 cases of spinal cord decompression sickness (DCS) from a U.S. Naval Station to understand how initial severity, time to recompression with oxygen, and re-treatment affected patient recovery.
What They Found
The study found a strong correlation between initial severity and final severity after all treatments (r = 0.88), and a moderate correlation with time to recompression with oxygen (r = 0.58). Delaying treatment significantly worsened outcomes for severely injured divers (P = 0.008). However, there was no difference in re-treatment outcome based on the depth of the re-treatment table used (60- or 45-ft).
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian divers experiencing spinal cord decompression sickness could benefit significantly from receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy as quickly as possible, especially in severe cases. The findings suggest that the initial seriousness of the condition is a key factor in predicting recovery, emphasizing the need for rapid medical attention.
Canadian Relevance
This study covers decompression sickness, which is a Health Canada-recognized indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Study Limitations
This study was a review of past cases from a single military facility, which might not fully represent all types of decompression sickness cases.