A recent study evaluating the use of continuous diffusion of oxygen (CDO) therapy in people suffering from diabetic foot ulcers has shown that they may benefit significantly from the treatment, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData.
As explored in the company’s latest diabetic foot ulcers report, the condition is not only a common and disabling one among people with diabetes, but a major cause of hospitalizations and the leading cause of lower-extremity amputations due to a lack of effective treatment options.
A recently completed double-blind, multicentre clinical trial indicates promising results for CDO in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. The study, published by the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology on 15 February, showed that the use of EO2 Concepts’ TransCu O2 System, which provides a continuous flow of humidified, pure oxygen directly to affected tissue within a moist wound therapy dressing for 24 hours a day, resulted in significantly higher rates of closure and faster closure times than standard therapy.
Tina Deng, Healthcare Analyst for GlobalData, explains: “As an essential component in multiple mechanisms of wound healing, oxygen enhances general cell metabolism and energy production, cell proliferation, epithelialization, and collagen synthesis. Traditionally, hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves exposing the body to pure oxygen at a high pressure to achieve supersaturated levels of oxygen in the bloodstream and tissues.
“However, this therapy is intermittent and relies on circulation and bulk devices to bring the oxygen to the damaged tissue. The newer topical oxygen therapy places the affected tissue within a chamber or bag under high concentrations of oxygen, which is a less-explored and less-expensive modality than hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
“It is also discontinuous and the patient is unable to move during the treatment. The latest CDO therapy overcomes disadvantages of conventional oxygen therapies, allowing continuous oxygen treatment and greatly improving mobility for patients.”
GlobalData forecasts that the global diabetic foot ulcer market will exceed $870 million by 2025.
