Osteoarthritis
Conditions
Keywords
Balneotherapy, Echocardiography, Wellness, Heart
Brief summary
This prospective observational study aims to evaluate changes in heart function using echocardiography before and after a standardized balneotherapy program in adult and elderly patients with osteoarthritis. Balneotherapy is commonly used by patients with osteoarthritis, especially in older age groups, who may also have known or unrecognized cardiovascular conditions. For this reason, heart function is evaluated using transthoracic echocardiography prior to the start of balneotherapy and again after completion of the treatment program. The study focuses on changes in echocardiographic parameters related to left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. By comparing measurements obtained before and after balneotherapy, this study seeks to improve understanding of the potential effects of balneotherapy on cardiac function in patients with osteoarthritis.
Detailed description
Balneotherapy is frequently preferred by adult and elderly patients with osteoarthritis as part of rehabilitation programs. This population may have a higher prevalence of overt or subclinical cardiovascular disease; therefore, cardiovascular evaluation before and after balneotherapy may be clinically relevant. In this prospective observational study, patients with osteoarthritis who are scheduled to undergo a standardized balneotherapy program are evaluated using transthoracic echocardiography prior to treatment initiation and again after completion of the program. Echocardiographic examinations are performed to assess parameters related to left ventricular systolic and diastolic function, as well as aortic hemodynamics. The balneotherapy program consists of head-out immersion in thermal pools with acratothermal water at a temperature of approximately 38 °C, applied for 20 minutes per session, 5 days per week, over a 15-day period. Echocardiographic measurements obtained before and after the intervention are compared to evaluate potential changes in cardiac function associated with balneotherapy.
Interventions
OTHERbalneotherapy
Sponsors
Bursa City Hospital
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
40 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
s: * Having balneotherapy sessions 5 days a week for total of three weeks * Having detailed echocardiography records
Exclusion criteria
s: * Having history of major surgery, * cerebrovascular accident, * malignancy, * liver or renal failure, * immunodeficiency, * acute/chronic infection, * psychiatric disorders were exluded.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in mitral peak E wave velocity | Baseline (before balneotherapy) and immediately after completion of the 15-day balneotherapy program | Change in mitral peak early diastolic (E) wave velocity measured by transthoracic echocardiography. |
| Change in mitral E/A ratio | Baseline and immediately after completion of the 15-day balneotherapy program | Change in the ratio of early (E) to late (A) diastolic transmitral flow velocities assessed by transthoracic echocardiography. |
| Change in E/E' ratio | Baseline and immediately after completion of the 15-day balneotherapy program | Change in the ratio of early transmitral flow velocity (E) to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E') measured by tissue Doppler imaging. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in left ventricular ejection fraction | Baseline (before balneotherapy) and immediately after completion of the 15-day balneotherapy program | Change in left ventricular ejection fraction assessed by transthoracic echocardiography. |
| Change in mean aortic gradient | Baseline (before balneotherapy) and immediately after completion of the 15-day balneotherapy program | Change in mean transaortic pressure gradient measured by continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography. |
| Change in maximum aortic gradient | Baseline (before balneotherapy) and immediately after completion of the 15-day balneotherapy program | Change in maximum transaortic pressure gradient measured by continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed