Beneficial effect of climatic therapy on inflammatory arthritis at Tiberias Hot Springs

Authors: Hashkes PJ (1)

Affiliations:

(1) Pediatric Rheumatology Service, Sieff and Poriya Hospitals, Technion Medical School

Source: Scand J Rheumatol. 2002;31(3):172-7

DOI: Not specified Publication date: 2002 E-Publication date: July 12, 2009 Availability: abstract Copyright: Not specified

Language: English Countries: Israel Location: Tiberias Hot Springs Correspondence address: Hashkes PJ : philh@kinneret.co.il

Keywords

Article abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the beneficial effect of climatic therapy at the Tiberias Hot Springs on patients with inflammatory arthritis.

METHODS:

Patients from Sweden with inflammatory arthritis underwent climatic therapy for 4 weeks at the Tiberias Hot Springs in Israel. Patients were examined at the beginning and end of the therapy and were evaluated as responders according to internationally validated criteria.

RESULTS:

One hundred-thirty-six patients were evaluated, 83 with a clinical course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 53 with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Forty-seven (57%) of the RA patients and 32 (60%) of the AS patients were considered responders. Shorter disease duration and more active disease were associated with a greater response in RA, while in AS males responded more often than females.

CONCLUSION:

Most patients benefited significantly from climatic therapy. Long-term follow-up is necessary to see whether improvement is sustained and if work ability and hospitalizations are also improved.

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