title: The effect of balneotherapy on antioxidant, inflammatory, and metabolic indices in patients with cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension and obesity)--a randomised, controlled, follow-up study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The primary objective of our study was to explore the changes of antioxidant, inflammatory, and metabolic parameters in obese and hypertension people patients during balneotherapy and to evaluate the safety of balneotherapy in these participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following randomisation, 22 obese and 20 hypertensive patients underwent balneotherapy with thermal water of 38°C temperature, in 15 sessions of 30 minutes. An additional 22 obese and 20 hypertensive patients served as controls. Antioxidant, inflammatory, and metabolic parameters were determined at baseline, as well as post-treatment and at the end of follow-up (at 15 weeks).
  
  
  RESULTS
  As regards changes observed in hypertensive patients subjected to balneotherapy, differences could be detected between baseline and post-treatment albumin and haemoglobin A(1c) levels only; however, these were no longer significant after 3 months. Although the difference between transferrin levels determined at the end of balneotherapy and 3 months later was significant, it remained within the physiological range, as well as it was accompanied by normal serum iron level and therefore, it was considered irrelevant. C-reactive protein levels of balneotherapy patients decreased significantly after treatment. In obese patients, haemoglobin A(1c) level decreased after balneotherapy, but this difference was not observed either after 3 months. Similarly, both transferrin and C-reactive protein levels changed from baseline, but not between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study contributes important information regarding the safety of balneotherapy in hypertensive and obese diabetics by showing no alterations of antioxidant, inflammatory, or metabolic indices. The findings of this study confirm that balneotherapy is not contraindicated for hypertensive or obese patients.
authors.affiliation: Hungarospa Hajdúszoboszló Private Limited Company, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Mihály
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oláh
authors.forename: Ágnes
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Koncz
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fehér
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kálmánczhey
authors.forename: Csaba
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Oláh
authors.forename: György
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nagy
authors.forename: Tamás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bender
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001452:Balneology / Q000379:methods*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015994:Incidence; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D008055:Lipids