The Efficacy of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Complicated by Peripheral Neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) complicated by peripheral neuropathy.

METHODS: Between September 2019 and April 2021, 90 patients with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy were treated at Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital. Patients in the observation group (n = 45) received standard care, whereas those in the experimental group (n = 45) received HBO treatment in addition to standard care. After that, the clinical efficacy, nerve conduction velocity, and peak vascular flow rate in the affected limb, as well as serum marker levels and patient comfort, were examined and compared in the two groups.

RESULTS: Significantly higher total efficacy of treatment was observed in the experimental group compared to the observation group (P < .05). The nerve conduction velocity and the peak vascular flow rate in the affected limb were both higher in patients belonging to the experimental group than in those in the observation group (P < .05). The serum levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), and Malondialdehyde (MDA) of patients in the experimental group were much improved compared to the observation group (P < .05). Lastly, the comfort after treatment was similar in patients in the two groups (P > .05).

CONCLUSION: HBO treatment has significant therapeutic effectiveness in individuals with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. This type of therapy not only improves nerve conduction velocity and peak vascular flow rate in the afflicted limb but it also lowers blood marker levels. It also does not contribute to pain during the therapy. Thus, it is a procedure that merits further clinical implementation.