Impact of ozone concentration on the treatment effectiveness of diabetic foot syndrome: a pilot single-centre study.

Introduction: Diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) a severe complication of diabetes which can result in ulcers, infections, or tissue damage in the feet.

Aim: To compare the treatment effectiveness in patients with DFS using local O₃ therapy depending on the O₃ concentration.

Material and methods: The study included 50 patients, 24 male and 26 female ones, in the age range between 39 and 84 years, with DFS. In group 1 (25 patients), 30 µg/ml doses of ozone were applied, and in group 2 (25 patients) doses of 60 µg/ml. A total of 30 local ozone therapy procedures, lasting 30 min each, were performed in both groups, in two sessions (15 procedures), with a 4-week break between sessions. The effectiveness of wound healing was evaluated by computerized planimetry, and pain intensity was assessed with the use of the VAS scale.

Results: After treatment, a statistically significant reduction in the area of wounds and the intensity of pain was achieved in both groups. The median (IQR) wound size after treatment in group 1 was: 4.5 (4-5) cm², and in group 2: 4 (3-4.5) cm²; (p = 0.027). The median (IQR) pain intensity (VAS) after treatment in group 1 was: 5 (4-5) points, and in group 2: 4 (3-4.5) points (p = 0.002).

Conclusions: The use of a higher concentration ozone increased the effectiveness of the therapy in terms of reducing the wound surface area and alleviating the pain. Therefore, the possibility of using higher ozone concentrations in the treatment of diabetic foot syndrome is worth considering.