What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of 279 recreational divers with spinal cord decompression sickness from French and Belgian hyperbaric centers to identify factors affecting recovery.
What They Found
After one month, 26% of divers had incomplete recovery from spinal cord decompression sickness. Factors significantly linked to a worse outcome included being 42 years or older, diving deeper than 39 meters, experiencing bladder dysfunction, and symptoms worsening before recompression. However, the time to recompression and the specific initial hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) protocol (e.g., 2.8 ATA vs. deeper recompression up to 4 or 6 ATA) did not significantly impact recovery.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian recreational divers with spinal cord decompression sickness should be aware that factors like age over 42, deep dives, and bladder issues were linked to poorer recovery in this study. It highlights the importance of recognizing if symptoms are worsening before treatment, as this was a major factor influencing recovery. Prompt medical attention for any DCS symptoms remains critical.
Canadian Relevance
This study covers decompression sickness, which is a Health Canada-recognized indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. No direct Canadian connection was identified for the study itself.
Study Limitations
A limitation of this study is its retrospective design, meaning it relied on existing data which may have varied in completeness or accuracy across different centers.