Dataset Information
Balneotherapy, a Complementary Non-pharmacological Approach for Non-Inflammatory Complaints in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Pilot Study.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background/aim
Despite remission or low disease activity non-inflammatory complaints like exhaustion, fatigue, and pain persist in a significant proportion of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and have a considerable impact on health-related quality of life. This study evaluated the effects of balneotherapy on non-inflammatory complaints, quality of life, and work productivity of patients with SLE.Patients and methods
SLE patients in remission/low disease activity in three rheumatology centers were included in this randomized, controlled, follow-up study. In addition to the standard of care (SOC), sixteen out of the thirty patients with SLE received balneotherapy (3-week period, 15 times, for 30 min) and fourteen patients received the SOC only. Pre-validated survey instruments including Lupus Quality of Life (LupusQoL), Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Work Productivity, and Activity Impairment-Lupus (WPAI-Lupus) questionnaires were used.Results
Based on the SF-36 questionnaires, several subdomains of physical condition improved significantly after the course; the improvement remained durable (p=0.019). General health improved significantly by the end of the course (p=0.001). According to the LupusQoL questionnaire, physical health and pain showed a tendency of improvement shortly after the spa treatment. Changes in the WPAI-lupus questionnaire indicated a short-term improvement of the daily activity by the end of the observation period. No adverse reactions were observed.Conclusion
Thermal water therapy may be an effective, well-tolerated, complementary non-pharmacological approach for non-inflammatory complaints of patients with SLE. Physical condition improved in the short-term, whereas fatigue worsened despite treatment.
SUBMITTER: Fritsch K
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9677769 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov-Dec
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Balneotherapy, a Complementary Non-pharmacological Approach for Non-Inflammatory Complaints in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Pilot Study.
In vivo (Athens, Greece) 20221101 6
<h4>Background/aim</h4>Despite remission or low disease activity non-inflammatory complaints like exhaustion, fatigue, and pain persist in a significant proportion of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and have a considerable impact on health-related quality of life. This study evaluated the effects of balneotherapy on non-inflammatory complaints, quality of life, and work productivity of patients with SLE.<h4>Patients and methods</h4>SLE patients in remission/low disease activity ...[more]
