Peloids as thermotherapeutic agents

The use of peloids as heat-providing therapeutic systems dates back to antiquity. Such systems consist of a liquid phase and an organic or inorganic solid phase. The latter facilitates the handling, preparation and stability of the solid–liquid system, modifying its organoleptic and physicochemical properties, and improves its efficacy and tolerance. Peloids enable the application of heat to very specific zones and the release of heat at a given rate. The aims of this work are to study 16 reference peloids used in medical spa centers as thermo-therapeutic agents as well as to propose nine raw materials as a solid phase for the preparation of peloids. The physical properties studied are the centesimal composition, the instrumental texture and the thermal parameters. In conclusion, the peloids of the medical spas studied are used as thermotherapeutic agents in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, especially in knee osteoarthritis and to a lesser extent in back pain and psoriatic arthropathy. The clinical experience in these centers shows that the main effects of the application of their peloids are the reduction of pain, an increase in the joint’s functional capacity and an improvement in the quality of life. As thermotherapeutic agents, all the peloids of the medical spas studied and the pastes (raw materials with distilled water) examined showed a heat flow rate of up to four times lower than that shown by the same amount of water. The raw materials studied can be used as solid phases for the preparation of peloids with mineral waters.This study was financed by the research group UCM-911757 (Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Medical Hydrolog

Prevalence of frailty, pre-frailty and geriatric syndromes in people aged 60 or more that use the Cofrentes spa: a pilot study

A longevity and balneotherapy treatment program has been initiated at the Cofrentes Medical Spa, including the development of the Rosita Longevity App. The objective of this study is to determine the health profiles (degree of frailty and pre-frailty) by means of Fried Frailty Phenotype questionnaire and the prevalence of geriatric syndromes in people over 60 doing balneotherapy at the spa, considering that the thermal environment is an ideal place to treat these types of syndromes and to delay their progress. Thermal/spa facilities often receive older patients with osteo-articular and musculoskeletal conditions. To assess the grade of the functionality, quality of life, depression, nutritional risk, cognitive state, insomnia, and the risk of falls, specific questionnaires were used. Out of a total of 43 participants, 30 were women (69.7%), and 22 older than 70 y (51.1%). There were 2 frail (4.6%) and 20 prefrail (46.5%). Conclusions: more than half of the people older than 60 who visit the Cofrentes spa present a functionality deficit condition. Women present a lower quality of life than men. The more affected items in the prefrail population were grip strength and physical activity. Health Resort Medicine is an ideal place to detect these aspects

Outcomes in Newly Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation and History of Acute Coronary Syndromes: Insights from GARFIELD-AF

BACKGROUND: Many patients with atrial fibrillation have concomitant coronary artery disease with or without acute coronary syndromes and are in need of additional antithrombotic therapy. There are few data on the long-term clinical outcome of atrial fibrillation patients with a history of acute coronary syndrome. This is a 2-year study of atrial fibrillation patients with or without a history of acute coronary syndromes

Analysis of Outcomes in Ischemic vs Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation A Report From the GARFIELD-AF Registry

IMPORTANCE Congestive heart failure (CHF) is commonly associated with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF), and their combination may affect treatment strategies and outcomes