What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of 2,334 patients in Israel to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of side effects associated with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy.
What They Found
Out of 2,334 patients, 406 (17.4%) experienced at least one adverse event during HBO2 therapy, with an overall per-session incidence of 0.72%. The most common complication was middle ear barotrauma, affecting 9.2% of patients and 0.04% of sessions, with females and children under 16 having an increased risk.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be reassured that it is generally safe, but should be aware of potential side effects, particularly middle ear barotrauma. Adherence to pre-treatment evaluations and in-chamber monitoring protocols helps minimize these risks.
Canadian Relevance
This study was conducted in Israel and does not have a direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
As a retrospective analysis, this study relied on existing patient data, which may have inherent limitations regarding data completeness or potential confounding factors.