doiSerbia

Comparative analysis of success of psoriasis treatment with standard therapeutic modalities and balneotherapy

Ninković-Baroš Đuka (Clinical Center of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Republika Srpska, Bosna i Hercegovina)
Gajanin Vesna S. (University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Medicine, Republika Srpska, Bosna i Hercegovina)
Gajanin Radoslav B. (Clinical Center of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Republika Srpska, Bosna i Hercegovina)
Zrnić Bogdan (University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Medicine, Republika Srpska, Bosna i Hercegovina)

Introduction. Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory, immune-mediated skin disease. In addition to standard therapeutic modalities (antibiotics, cytostatics, phototherapy, photochemotherapy and retinoids), nonstandard methods can be used in the treatment of psoriasis. This includes balneotherapy which is most commonly used in combination with therapeutic resources. The aim of this research was to determine the length of remission of psoriasis in patients treated with standard therapeutic modalities, balneotherapy, and combined treatment (standard therapeutic modalities and balneotherapy). Material and Methods. The study analyzed 60 adult patients, of both sexes, with different clinical forms of psoriasis, who were divided into three groups according to the applied therapeutic modalities: the first group (treated with standard therapeutic modalities), the second group (treated with balneotherapy) and the third group (treated with combined therapystandard methods therapy and balneotherapy). The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index was determined in first, third and sixth week of treatment for all patients. The following laboratory analysis were performed and monitored: C reactive protein, iron with total iron binding capacity, unsaturated iron binding capacity and ferritin, uric acid, rheumatoid factors and antibodies to streptolysin O in the first and sixth week of treatment. Results. The average length of remission in patients treated with standard therapeutic modalities and in those treated with balneotherapy was 1.77 ± 0.951 months and 1.79 ± 0.918 months, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the duration of remission between the patients treated with combination therapy and patients treated with standard therapeutic modalities (p=0.019) and balneotherapy (p=0.032). Conclusion. The best results have been achieved when the combination therapy was administered.

Keywords: Psoriasis, Drug Therapy, Balneology, Combined Modality Therapy, Remission Induction, Body Surface Area, Severity of Illness Index, Diagnostic Tests, Routine