HIV infection and tuberculosis in Turkey.

I was disappointed in the article by Gabb and Robin (Hyperbaric Oxygen: A Therapy In Search Of Diseases. Chest 1987; 92:1074-82) because it was obviously not submitted for critical review before it was published. To have this article published is a discredit to the journal and an insult to readers. I do not intend to write a major critique of the article but wish to point out that as an attempt at historic review of hyperbaric oxygen it is not factual. As a risk-benefit analysis it lists and discusses risks erroneously (eg, decompression sickness is not a risk to patients), it does not show benefit or lack thereof factually or accurately (showing a remarkable lack of understanding of the references cited) and certainly is not an analysis of anything. The most unfortunate result of the publication of the article is that it passes on misinformation to the readers of Chest. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is presented as an unproven practice of medical adventurism when it is a well accepted practice for a short list of acute and chronic conditions. This misinformation may result in the rejection of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for some patients who could benefit, thus causing avoidable morbidity and mortality Dr. Robin appears to be a crusader against practices that he perceives result in iatrogenic morbidity It is ironic that through this article he may cause iatrogenic morbidity because his misinformation will beget neglect of a beneficial therapy