Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - Hyperbaric Chamber Information ...
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - Hyperbaric Chamber Information ...
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - Hyperbaric Chamber Information ...
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Studies of necrotising soft tissue infections in general<br />
Two studies that look at necrotising soft tissue infections in general were retrieved from<br />
the published literature. A brief description of each study is given in Table 21.<br />
Table 21 Descriptive characteristics of included studies focusing on the use of HBOT in necrotising<br />
soft tissue infections.*<br />
First Author<br />
and Year of<br />
Publication<br />
NHMRC<br />
Level<br />
Study Design Location<br />
Brown<br />
1994 52 III-2 Comparative study Canada<br />
Riseman<br />
1990 53<br />
III-3<br />
Comparative study<br />
with historical<br />
controls<br />
Dates of<br />
Enrolment Size<br />
Jan 1980 to<br />
Dec 1991<br />
Characteristics of Study Population †<br />
Age (years)<br />
Mean (SD)<br />
Sex Ratio<br />
(M:F)<br />
<strong>Hyperbaric</strong> oxygen therapy 33<br />
54<br />
USA 1980 to ‘88 29<br />
I=51.3 (17.1)<br />
C=61.6 (12.6)<br />
I=59.7 (14-<br />
82)‡<br />
C=68.5 (41-88)<br />
I=22:8<br />
C=13:11<br />
I=11:6<br />
C=7:5<br />
* Abbreviations: C = comparison group, F = female, I = intervention group, M = male, RCT = randomised controlled trial, SD = standard<br />
deviation.<br />
† <strong>Information</strong> is given for intervention and comparison groups, if available. Otherwise, total study population values are stated.<br />
‡ Figures in parentheses are ranges.<br />
Both studies were performed in North America; neither were RCTs. Most of the study<br />
participants were male with mean ages above 50 years.<br />
Study quality<br />
Both studies failed to provide any information about masking procedures. All studies<br />
reported complete follow-up of subjects (Table 22).<br />
Table 22 Methodological quality of included studies focusing on the use of HBOT in necrotising soft<br />
tissue infections.<br />
First Author and<br />
Year of Publication<br />
Study Design Randomisation Masking Losses to Follow-up<br />
Brown 1994 52 Comparative study None None No losses<br />
Riseman 1990 53<br />
Patient criteria<br />
Comparative study<br />
with historical<br />
controls<br />
None None No losses<br />
Patient criteria are shown in Table 23. A variety of diagnoses were included in both<br />
studies. In the study by Brown et al, 52 patients with necrotising fasciitis or Fournier’s<br />
gangrene accounted for only 40 percent of the total study population. Riseman et al 53<br />
presented no figures.