Role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Harpreet Kaur, Gursimran Singh Kochhar, Parambir S. Dulai*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose of reviewHypoxia is a known contributor to inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and a growing interest has emerged in pharmacologically targeting hypoxia response pathways to treat IBD. The most basic form of treatment for hypoxia is delivering higher amounts of oxygen to the intestinal mucosa. In this review, we summarize the evidence in support of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), a mechanism to deliver high amounts of oxygen to tissue, for treating IBD.Recent findingsTwo phase 2 clinical trials in hospitalized ulcerative colitis patients suffering from moderate-to-severe flares have demonstrated that HBOT improves responsiveness to steroids and avoidance of rescue medical and surgical therapy. Outpatient cohort studies in perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease and fistulizing complications of the pouch have demonstrated improved healing, particularly for complex fistulae. Several systematic reviews have now been completed, and HBOT has been observed to be well tolerated with low rates of adverse events.SummaryHBOT may be considered as an adjunctive treatment for hospitalized ulcerative colitis flares and Crohn's disease-related fistulae. Higher quality trials are needed to confirm efficacy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)263-267
Number of pages5
JournalCurrent Opinion in Gastroenterology
Volume39
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2023

Funding

This work was supported by a grant to P.S.D. (NIDDK U01DK134321-01).

Keywords

  • hypoxia
  • inflammation
  • oxygen

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gastroenterology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this