Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) for Chronic Diabetic Lower Limb Ulcers

People with diabetes mellitus and non-healing ulcers of the lower limb are at higher risk of amputation. Current standard care for foot ulcers includes maintaining optimal blood glucose levels, use of debridement, antibacterials, dressings, antibiotics for infection; adequate nutrition; pressure relief and amputation. There has been an increased interest in the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as an adjunctive treatment for diabetic ulcers. HBOT is an established technology which currently is an accepted treatment of chronic diabetic ulcers in Ontario and physicians who provide this service are reimbursed under the current Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). However there are only a few facilities that can provide this service. In addition, results of published HBOT studies are inconsistent. The current study will provide quality efficacy data on the use of HBOT as an adjunctive therapy. As this study has been recommended by the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee (OHTAC), the results of the study will be used to make policy decisions regarding the funding and further utilization of HBOT therapy for people with diabetes mellitus with ulcers of the lower limb in the province. If the results are favorable towards HBOT in the treatment of diabetic ulcers, potential expansion and availability of this and other programs maybe be possible. A randomized placebo control trial evaluating HBOT, to the best of our knowledge has not been completed in this area and will provide much needed information to the scientific community.

Inclusion criteria

• Age > 18 years
• Type 1 or 2 Diabetes Mellitus
• Wagner grading of foot lesions 3 or 4 on lower limb not healing for 4 weeks.

Exclusion criteria

• Impending urgent amputation due to ongoing or exacerbated infection;
• Exposed calcaneus bone with no prospect of weight bearing potential even if defect has been healed;
• Dialysis-dependent renal failure;
• Any of the following medical conditions which preclude safe treatment in a monoplace chamber: clinical depression; severe dementia; claustrophobia; seizure disorder; active asthma; severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; previous thoracic surgery; previous spontaneous or trauma induced pneumothorax; history of severe congestive heart failure with left ventricular ejection fraction less than 20%; unstable angina; chronic sinusitis; chronic or acute otitis media or major ear drum trauma; severe kyphoscoliosis; arthritis; or morbid obesity;
• History of chemotherapy with use of Bleomycin;
• Participation in another investigative drug or device trial currently or within the last 30 days;
• Current candidates for vascular surgery, angioplasty or stenting;
• Major large vessel disease;
• Undergone vascular surgery or angioplasty within the last 3 months;
• Women who are currently pregnant or are breast feeding or women of childbearing potential who are not currently taking adequate birth control.