Sulfurous Balneotherapy in Poland: A Vignette on History and Contemporary Use

[Natural mineral waters of the «Seregovo» sanatorium of the Komi Republic]

Improvement of sanatorium-resort treatment system is among the priority tasks of healthcare. Balneotherapeutic methods occupy one of the first places in terms of the effectiveness of treatment of many diseases, that is especially relevant for the population living in harsh natural climatic conditions of the North.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the physiological action of natural mineral waters of the «Seregovo» sanatorium of the Komi Republic.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An analysis of publications from databases of electronic sources (WOS, Scopus, PubMed, eLibrary) over the last 20 years, in which the results of mineral waters application are presented, was performed. The results of the study of composition and quality of mineral waters of the «Seregovo» sanatorium of the Komi Republic are presented (conclusion of the National Medical Research Center for Rehabilitation and Balneology (NMRC RB) and materials obtained by Institute of Geology of the Komi Scientific Center of the Ural branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences).

RESULTS

Distribution and diversity of mineral waters of the territory of the «Seregovo» sanatorium of the Komi Republic are presented. Mineral water from the 1K well refers to the subcategory of brines (over 35.0 g/dm3 but not more than 150.0 g/dm3), is of sodium-chloride composition (Cl- 100, Na++K+79 mg eq.%), with total mineralization of M100.9 g/dm3, with pH equal 6.22, with conditioned content of bromine and boron according to the balneological conclusion №7-1372 from 24.05.2022 by the NMRC RB of the Ministry of Health of Russia. Physiological and therapeutic effects of sodium chloride mineral waters have been shown according to the literature.

CONCLUSION

The diversity of natural mineral waters and dynamic change of their composition over time require periodic controlled study of their impact on human body. Evaluation of available literature data can serve as a basis for clarification of indications and contraindications to balneotherapy, that contributes to improvement of the effectiveness of sanatorium-resort treatment in health care centers of the Komi Republic.

The effect of thermal mineral waters on pain relief, physical function and quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of thermal mineral waters therapy for pain relief, and functional improvement, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

Cochrane Library, Web of science, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials. Study inclusion criteria included assessment of the visual analog scale and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities scores and the lequesne index to evaluate the effects of thermal mineral waters on pain relief and functional improvement. Also, studies that used the European quality of life 5-dimension scale and health assessment questionnaire to assess the impact of thermal mineral waters therapy on improving QoL were included.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies were included. A meta-analysis showed that thermal mineral waters therapy could significantly reduce pain as measured visual analog scale and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities assessments (P < .001). Thermal mineral waters significantly reduced the lequesne index (P < .001) and improved joint function. Finally, compared with a control group, European quality of life 5-dimension scale and health assessment questionnaire improved significantly in patients with OA receiving thermal mineral waters therapy (P  < .05). There is no evidence that thermal mineral waters is unsafe for treating OA.

CONCLUSION

Thermal mineral waters therapy is a safe way to relieve pain, improve physical functions, and QoL in patients with OA.