RESUMO
Background: Topical ozone has been recently used in the treatment of venous leg ulcers due to its immunological, antimicrobial and oxygenation properties, but its efficacy still lacks evidence. Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of topical ozone therapy in the healing rate, healing time reduction and in the decrease of bacterial load in venous leg ulcers. Methods: A systematic literature review with meta-analysis of studies published between January 2000 and November 2016 was carried out on PubMed, EBSCO, Scielo, and grey literature. The methodology proposed by Cochrane was followed. Critical appraisal, data extraction, and data synthesis were performed by two inde-pendent reviewers.results. Among 275 studies screened, three controlled trials (one of which rando-mized) were included, corresponding to a total of 133 participants. All these trials demonstrated that ozone therapy is more effective than conventional therapy in healing rate, as well as in reducing healing time and signs of infection (bacterial load). The meta-analysis confirmed the higher efficacy of ozone therapy in the healing rate (Odds Ratio = 7.28; CI 95% = 3.56 to 14.89; p < 0.001). For the other outcomes it was not possible to perform meta-analysis due to the use of different assessment methods. Conclusions: Topical ozone therapy may be a therapeutic option for the treatment of venous leg ulcers. However, more randomized and controlled studies are ne-eded to evaluate its efficacy in reducing healing time and bacterial load, as well as on the safety of this therapy. It is also important that these studies use uniform therapeutic and assessment methods
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