What Researchers Did
In a single-centre, retrospective, case-controlled study, researchers assessed the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on mortality in 341 patients with necrotising fasciitis over a 13-year period.
What They Found
Overall mortality was 14.4%, with 12% in patients treated with HBOT compared to 24.3% in those not treated. HBOT was independently associated with a significant reduction in mortality (odds ratio 0.42, P=0.01), even after adjusting for illness severity. Increased age and immunosuppression were also independent factors impacting mortality.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients with necrotising fasciitis, these findings suggest that hyperbaric oxygen therapy could significantly improve survival rates. Integrating HBOT into treatment protocols might therefore be a valuable strategy to enhance patient outcomes.
Canadian Relevance
This study was conducted in Australia and does not have a direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The retrospective, single-centre design of this study limits the generalizability of its findings and introduces potential for selection bias.