What Researchers Did
Researchers investigated whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) caused damage to lung lining permeability in 21 patients with refractory osteomyelitis or diabetic foot, comparing them to 25 healthy controls.
What They Found
After 20 HBOT sessions, where patients received 100% oxygen at 2.5 atmospheres absolute for 100 minutes, five times a week, there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in lung permeability between patients and controls. For the 13 patients who had scans both before and after HBOT, results also showed no statistically significant change (P>0.05) in lung permeability.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This study suggests that Canadian patients undergoing HBOT for conditions like diabetic foot ulcers may not experience damage to their lung lining under similar treatment protocols. These findings offer reassurance regarding the safety of HBOT for lung health during treatment.
Canadian Relevance
This study covers diabetic foot, which aligns with diabetic foot ulcers, a Health Canada-recognized indication for HBOT.
Study Limitations
The study involved a relatively small number of patients and only evaluated lung permeability after 20 HBOT sessions, not assessing longer-term effects.