Comparison of a generic and a disease specific quality of life scale to assess a comprehensive spa therapy program for knee osteoarthritis.

Authors: Yilmaz B (1) , Goktepe AS (1) , Alaca R (1) , Mohur H (1) , Kayar AH (2)

Affiliations:

(1) Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department Gulhane Military Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey (2) Bursa Physical Medicine, Hydroclimatology and Rehabilitation Hospital

Source: Joint Bone Spine. 2004 Nov;71(6):563-6.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2003.09.008 Publication date: 2004 Nov E-Publication date: Oct. 27, 2003 Availability: abstract Copyright: © 2003 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

Language: English Countries: Not specified Location: Not specified Correspondence address: Yilmaz B. :
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Turkish Armed Forces Rehabilitation Center, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
Email : byilmaz@rehab.gata.edu.fr

Keywords

Article abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To compare the differences or correlation between the results obtained from a generic and a disease-specific instrument for the study group and to assess the short-term effects of spa therapy on quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Fifty patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly recruited. They underwent a comprehensive spa therapy program for 21 days. Forty-six patients completed the study. The results were evaluated with Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form-36 (SF-36) and Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2 (AIMS2).

RESULTS:

Statistically significant improvement was observed in all subscales of SF-36. All subscales of AIMS2 improved too, but only half of them were significant. Correlation between matching subscales of each test was also significant, except physical activity.

CONCLUSION:

Comprehensive spa therapy seems to increase the quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis for short term.

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