Medicina Fluminensis, Vol. 62 No. 1, 2026.
Stručni rad
https://doi.org/10.21860/medflum2026_343565
Decompression Sickness in Divers – Department of Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine Clinical Hospital Center Experience
Sandra Sertić
; Klinički bolnički centar Rijeka, Zavod za podvodnu i hiperbaričnu medicinu, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Tanja Batinac
orcid.org/0000-0002-3482-1937
; Klinički bolnički centar Rijeka, Zavod za podvodnu i hiperbaričnu medicinu, Rijeka, Hrvatska; Sveučilište u Rijeci, Fakultet zdravstvenih studija, Rijeka, Hrvatska
*
Branka Kurtović
; Klinički bolnički centar Rijeka, Klinika za kirurgiju, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Marin Marinović
; Klinički bolnički centar Rijeka, Zavod za podvodnu i hiperbaričnu medicinu, Rijeka, Hrvatska; Sveučilište u Rijeci, Fakultet zdravstvenih studija, Rijeka, Hrvatska; Klinički bolnički centar Rijeka, Klinika za kirurgiju, Rijeka, Hrvatska
* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
Aim: Caisson or diving sickness (decompression illness, DCI) is a common name for two types of diseases, arterial gas embolism and decompression sickness (DCS). According to the severity, DCS is classified into two types, type I and type II. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and characteristics of DCS among divers treated at the Department of Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine, University Hospital Center Rijeka. Subjects and methods: All patients admitted to and treated at the Department of Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine, University Hospital Center Rijeka, between December 1, 2016, and December 31, 2024, who were diagnosed with DCS were included in this retrospective study. Data were collected from the integrated hospital information system and included age, sex, season of admission, nationality, type of dive, number of dives, dive depth, latency period, and treatment outcome. The results were presented using descriptive statistics. Differences in the distribution and associations between variables were analysed using the χ² test and Spearman’s correlation analysis. All tests were conducted at a statistical significance level of p < 0.05. Results: During the evaluated eight-year period, a total of 114 patients were treated for DCS at the Department of Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine, University Hospital Center Rijeka. The majority were male divers (98; 86.0%), with significantly fewer female divers (16; 14.0%). Two-thirds of the treated patients presented with severe, or type II, DCS (76; 66.7%), while type I DCS was diagnosed in 38 divers (33.3%). The highest and equal number of divers was observed in the 31–40 and 41–50 age groups (31; 27.2% each). A significantly higher number of divers were admitted during the summer months (63; 55.3%). Complete recovery was achieved in the majority of patients (87; 76.3%). Conclusions: Divers treated at the Department of Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine were predominantly recreational male divers aged 31 to 50 years, most commonly presenting with severe type II DCS during the summer months. Excellent treatment outcomes for DCS were achieved, comparable to those reported by leading international centers.
Ključne riječi
caisson disease; decompression sickness; hyperbaric oxygen therapy; diving
Hrčak ID:
343565
URI
Datum izdavanja:
1.3.2026.
Posjeta: 247 *