Clinical efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen combined with medicine on postherpetic neuralgia in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus coupled with herpes zoster

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) coupled with herpes zoster. Methods Fifty-two patients with T2DM coupled with PHN were divided into the control group and the combined treatment group, in accordance with different treatment methods. The 2 groups were all treated with diclofenac sodium and cobalt amine, but the combined treatment group was additionally given HBO treatment, one session a day for a total of 30 sessions. Evaluations were made on the scores of visual analogue scale (VAS), sleep quality score (SQI) and Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) the day after treatment, 3 and 6 months after treatment to assess the therapeutic effects in the patients of the 2 groups. Results Statistical significance could be seen in the scores of VAS, SQI and HAMD for the patients of both groups following treatment (P<0.05). There was statistical significance in the scores of VAS for the patients of the combined treatment group, as compared with those of the control group (P<0.01). There was also statistical significance in the scores of SQI and HAMD, when comparisons were made between the 2 groups (P<0.05). Conclusions HBO combined with diclofenac sodium and cobalt amine could alleviate the seriousness of pain, improve sleep and decrease depression symptoms, in the patients with T2DM coupled with PHN. Combined treatment was obviously superior to simple drug treatment. Key words: Hyperbaric oxygen; Type 2 diabetes mellitus; Postherpetic neuralgia