Evaluation of the efficacy of local sulphurous water bath cure in hand osteoarthritis by randomized controlled clinical study

Objective: Determination of the effectiveness of local bath application by comparing artificial sulphurous water with tap water in patients with hand osteoarthritis. Materials and Methods: In our double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical study, 39 patients were divided into two groups. The study group applied artificially prepared water containing 15 mg/L sulphurous (S-2), and the control group applied tap water with low mineral content local bath cure for 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week, total of 10 sessions in 2 weeks. Evaluations at the beginning of the treatment, at the end of treatment and at the third month with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), pain- patient's general assessment -physician's general assessment, Australian Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index (AUSCAN), Functional Index for The Osteoarthritis of The Hand (FIHOA), Duruöz Hand Index (DHI), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), were performed by following grip strength measurement with a hand dynamometer and analgesic consumption. Results: Significant improvements were found in VAS pain and doctor global assessment, AUSCAN score at the end of treatment; analgesic consumption, right and left hand grip strength at the third month in the sulphurous water group. Significant improvements were found in VAS doctor global assessment at the end of treatment; VAS pain, patient and doctor global assessment and right hand grip strength at the third month in the tap water group. In the comparison between the groups, there was no statistically significant difference except the significant increase in HAQ score in the sulphurous water group at the third month. Conclusion: The fact that artificial sulphurous water causes significant reduction in pain and analgesic consumption, and significant improvements in functional status and hand grip strength has revealed a new idea for the use of artificial mineral waters in balneotherapy in the future. Keywords: Hand osteoarthritis, Artificial sulphurous water, Hydrotherapy, Balneotherapy