title: Comparative analysis of success of psoriasis treatment with standard therapeutic modalities and balneotherapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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).
  
  
  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 therapy-standard 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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The best results have been achieved when the combination therapy was administered.
authors.forename: Duka Ninković
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Baros
authors.forename: Vesna S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Gajanin
authors.forename: Radoslav B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Gajanin
authors.forename: Bogdan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zrnić
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001452:Balneology / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents