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Mud-bath treatment of seronegative spondyloarthritis: experience at the Euganean Thermal Area

International Journal of Biometeorology volume 64, pages 937–941 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Mud-bath therapy (MBT) has been used as a treatment for rheumatic diseases and musculoskeletal complaints in the Euganean Thermal Area (near Padova, Italy) since ancient time. There is no consensus about the use of MBT in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases, although experimental studies have suggested a beneficial effect of MBT on chronic articular inflammation. To evaluate the effects of MBT in patients affected by seronegative spondyloarthritis, very common chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases, randomized controlled trials (RCT) performed in the Euganean Thermal Area have been reviewed. A significant improvement of spondylitis parameters was observed in enteropathic spondylitis, without bowel symptom exacerbation. A long-term amelioration of clinical evaluation indices was found in ankylosing spondylitis. A significant improvement of cutaneous lesions, arthritis activity, and patient’s functional ability was observed in psoriatic arthritis. MBT was usually well tolerated and adverse side effects were rarely reported. The review of the RCT suggests that MBT may exert additional beneficial effects in patients with seronegative spondyloarthritis treated with pharmacological therapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padova, Padua, Italy

    Franco Cozzi, Paola Galozzi, Luca Ciprian, Elisabetta Zanatta, Pamela Polito, Francesca Oliviero & Leonardo Punzi

  2. Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy

    Maria Carrara

Authors
  1. Franco Cozzi
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  2. Paola Galozzi
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  3. Luca Ciprian
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  4. Elisabetta Zanatta
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  5. Pamela Polito
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  6. Francesca Oliviero
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  7. Maria Carrara
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  8. Leonardo Punzi
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Correspondence to Franco Cozzi.

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Cozzi, F., Galozzi, P., Ciprian, L. et al. Mud-bath treatment of seronegative spondyloarthritis: experience at the Euganean Thermal Area. Int J Biometeorol 64, 937–941 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-019-01761-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-019-01761-7

Keywords

  • Mud-bath therapy
  • Ankylosing spondylitis
  • Enteropathic spondylitis
  • Psoriatic arthritis