Comparison of a generic and a disease specific quality of life scale to assess a comprehensive spa therapy program for knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Objectives. - To compare the differences or correlation between the results obtained from a generic and a disease-specific instrument for the study group and to assess the short-term effects of spa therapy on quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis. Patients and Methods. - Fifty patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly recruited. They underwent a comprehensive spa therapy program for 21 days. Forty-six patients completed the study. The results were evaluated with Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form-36 (SF-36) and Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2 (AIMS2). Results. - Statistically significant improvement was observed in all subscales of SF-36. All subscales of AIMS2 improved too, but only half of them were significant. Correlation between matching subscales of each test was also significant, except physical activity. Conclusion. - Comprehensive spa therapy seems to increase the quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis for short term.