Chronic Pain and Oxidative stress in Knee Osteoarthritis: Role of sulphurous Mud–balneotherapy

Maria Costantino; Valeria Conti; Mariagrazia  Bathilde Marongiu; Alberto Abbruzzese; Gaia Giuberti; Michele Caraglia; Amelia Filippelli

Volume : IV, Issue : X, October - 2015

Chronic Pain and Oxidative stress in Knee Osteoarthritis: Role of sulphurous Mud–balneotherapy

Maria Costantino, Valeria Conti, Mariagrazia Bathilde Marongiu, Alberto Abbruzzese, Gaia Giuberti, Michele Caraglia, Amelia Filippelli

Abstract :

The literature demonstrated the involvement of oxidative stress in the osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis and the antioxidant effect of sulphurous mineral waters. Thus the objectives of the study were to investigate the impact on symptoms and quality of life and a possible antioxidant action of sulphurous mud–balneotherapy in 38 patients suffering from Knee OA admitted to Telese spa (Telese Terme, Benevento–Italy). 20 subjects (group A) did not take any NSAIDs or other drugs for gonarthrosis, 18 subjects (group B) were in treatment with ibuprofen administered orally. All patients have submitted to one cycle of mud–balneotherapy for 2 weeks by using sulphurous mineral water. Before and after the treatment in groups A and B were measured: VAS scores for pain during joint movement and the morning stiffness; Algofunctional Lequesne index; and plasma [ROMs] levels using the d–ROMs test. Sulphurous mud–balneotherapy induced a significant (p<0.05) reduction of the VAS score symptoms compared to basal values both in group A and in group B, with improvement of quality of life as shown by Lequesne index; moreover it was observed a significant (p<0.05) decrease of plasma [ROMs] levels. In conclusion this study suggests that the sulphurous mud–balneotherapy could represent an important component of the overall strategy to treat knee OA.