What Researchers Did
Researchers in Israel looked back at the medical records of 385 patients with non-healing lower leg wounds to find factors that predict who would benefit most from hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
What They Found
The study identified eight factors that predicted wound healing, including a higher number of HBOT treatments, better oxygen levels in the skin during therapy, and shorter wound duration. Patients without heart disease or anemia, those who were employed, had a low socioeconomic status, and whose wounds showed good granulation or fibrin coverage were also more likely to heal. The predictive model developed from these factors showed an accuracy of 71.8% in identifying patients who would heal.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients with non-healing ischemic wounds, including those with diabetic foot ulcers, these findings suggest that certain patient characteristics and wound conditions could help doctors decide if HBOT is likely to be effective. Starting HBOT within two months of a wound appearing might improve healing chances, potentially reducing the time and cost associated with prolonged treatments.
Canadian Relevance
This study, conducted in Israel, covers ischemic non-healing lower extremity wounds, which includes diabetic foot ulcers, a condition recognized by Health Canada for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Study Limitations
This study was retrospective, meaning it looked back at past data, and was conducted at a single hospital in Israel, which may limit how broadly its findings apply.