Effect of Adjunctive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy versus Traditional Wound Care on Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Abstract

Abstract: Foot ulcers are significant sources of mortality, morbidity and diminished the quality of life for patients with diabetes. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been proposed as a possible treatment. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy on diabetic foot ulcers, and comparing the adjunction of this form of therapy to traditional ulcer care alone. A comparative randomized clinical research design was utilized. The study was conducted in Naser Health Institute. Seventy two patients were recruited in this study conveniently, with grade I or II of foot ulcer. They were randomized into two equal groups, study group mean age 52.89±3.75; they were subjected to traditional ulcer care plus hyperbaric Oxygen therapy. The control group mean age was 54.44±5.50; they were subjected to traditional ulcer care. The results revealed statistically significant differences between study and control groups regarding the process of wound healing, ulcer size and depth after intervention. This concludes that hyperbaric oxygen therapy HBOT could be used as adjunctive therapy for healing of diabetic foot ulcer, so it is recommended to increase the number of specialized center, Evidence-based guidelines should be used to aid the clinician in determining which patients are suitable candidate for HBOT.