Were recently published in Arthritis Care & Research, a prestigious international scientific journal, the results of the clinical study to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the mud therapy, in addition to conventional therapy, in the treatment of osteoarthritis charged the knees. The mud baths are indicated in rheumatic troubles and post-traumatic lesions and osteoporosis. With this particular therapy the aim is to reduce pain and improve joint function and slow the progression of the disease. The mud, which cover the joints with a thickness of about 5 cm, can be applied either throughout the body that in the specific part, for a period of 15/20 minutes. Following the wraps you have a shower and a bath in thermal water whose duration can change according to the results of the spa visit.
The study, funded by the Tuscany Region, was coordinated by Professor Mauro Galeazzi and Dr. Antonella Fioravanti, UOC of Rheumatology of Siena and was conducted at the Terme di Chianciano. The economic analysis was developed by Dr. Oriana CeRGAS Ciani of the University of Bocconi in Milan. After one year, patients who received the treatment of mud therapy showed a reduction in pain, improved functional capacity and quality of life.
It was also reported a lower consumption of symptomatic drugs (pain and inflammation), with fewer side effects mainly in the stomach, and especially a favorable economic profile. The analysis has shown, a considerable saving of the general costs of the arthritic disease. On average, the cost per patient undergoing spa treatment in one year was € 303 against € 975 for each patient treated in a conventional manner, with a saving of 672 €. These results show the use of mud therapy, in addition to conventional therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee, as strategy is both more effective and less costly in the medium-long term. This reasoning is of particular interest when considering the frequency of osteoarthritis, which affects more than 10% of our population with a considerable socio-economic impact.
