Jocefabia Reika Alves Lopes
◽
Mariza D’Agostino Dias
◽
João Antonio Correa
◽
Maria Alice Bragagnolo Batalha
◽
Luanda Karla Dantas Guerra
Abstract
Background: Diabetic limb ulcers are highly prevalent and contribute to a significant increase in cost for the treatment of these patients in health services. However, healing of these wounds is a major health problem and may even lead to amputation. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in facilitating the healing of diabetic foot ulcers and reducing the number of amputations in these patients.Methods : The study will be conducted in the city of Imperatriz, Maranhão from 2019 to 2020, in diabetic patients with chronic foot ulcers (classified as Wagner grade 2, 3, and 4, persisting for more than one month). The outpatient follow-up for diabetic foot patients will be done at the SUS (Unified Health System), with a sample size of 120 patients (60 patients for each arm). Half of the patients will receive standard treatment, i.e. dressings, debridement, antibiotics, and load relief, along with HBOT (HBOT group), and the other half will receive only standard treatment (control group). The patients of the HBOT group will be evaluated upon admission, after 10, 20, 30 and 35 HBOT sessions, and after six months. The patients of the control group will also be evaluated at equivalent periods. The progression of the wounds and specific treatment, such as appropriate bandage, antibiotic therapy, or need of some surgical intervention will be evaluated on a weekly basis. The SF-36 quality of life questionnaire will be filled upon admission and after three months of follow-up in both groups. Upon admission, the patients of both groups will undergo arterial Doppler ultrasound, and laboratory tests–complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, creatinine, fasting blood glucose, and glycosylated haemoglobin.Discussion : Diabetic foot ulcers are a highly prevalent complication of diabetes with serious consequences. A study to assess the efficacy of HBOT in healing the ulcers and reducing the rate of amputations in diabetic patients is justified, which will eventually aid in the development of guidelines for treating these ulcers.
Reply: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Indocyanine Green Angiography May Be Used as a Biomarker to Analyze Perfusion and Predict Response to Treatment
