What Researchers Did
Portuguese researchers reviewed 61 patients who developed bladder bleeding (hemorrhagic cystitis) after bone marrow transplants and were treated with HBOT at two centers over 25 years.
What They Found
HBOT achieved complete resolution of bladder bleeding in 72.1% of patients and partial improvement in 14.8%. Patients who received 10 or more HBOT sessions were 12.5 times more likely to achieve complete or partial response (OR 12.5, 95% CI 1.9–83.2). The median session count for complete responders was 15.5 sessions. Only 2 patients stopped HBOT due to lack of benefit.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadians who develop hemorrhagic cystitis after bone marrow or stem cell transplants, a painful complication causing blood in urine, bladder pain, and often prolonged hospitalization, this large retrospective study suggests HBOT resolves the condition in nearly three-quarters of patients. Patients and doctors should be aware that a minimum of 10 sessions appears necessary to achieve benefit.
Canadian Relevance
Radiation cystitis is an OHIP-covered indication for HBOT in Ontario. Transplant-related hemorrhagic cystitis presents similarly; coverage eligibility depends on the specific clinical circumstances.
Study Limitations
This was a retrospective study without a control group, so natural disease resolution versus HBOT effect cannot be fully separated.