Balneotherapy in Psoriasis Rehabilitation

Abstract

Background/aim: This study aimed to report a balneotherapy-based psoriasis rehabilitation protocol and assess its effectivity.

Patients and methods: Eighty psoriatic patients who underwent a 3-week-long inward balneotherapy-based rehabilitation were enrolled. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined on admission and before discharge.

Results: The mean PASI score and CRP level -determined on admission and before discharge-decreased significantly after the 3-week-long rehabilitation 7.15±7.3 vs. 2.62±3.05 (p<0.001) and 4.1±3.8 vs. 3.5±3.1 (p=0.026). A negative correlation was found between PASI delta and the number of spa therapies received (r=-0.228).

Conclusion: After completing the 3-week-long spa therapy based rehabilitation, both PASI score and CRP levels showed improvement of psoriasis. The complex spa therapy used during the rehabilitation is an effective tool to reduce the symptoms of psoriasis and improve the patient's well-being.

Keywords: Psoriasis; balneotherapy; rehabilitation.

Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

Figures

Figure 1. Detailed list of the spa therapies used.

Figure 2. Changes in PASI score due to a 3-week-long rehabilitation. PASI: Psoriasis area severity index.

Figure 3. Changes in CRP due to 3-week long rehabilitation. CRP: C-reactive protein.

Figure 4. Questionnaire results.