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Biomedical subjects

S Sukenik

Publications and source records attributed to S Sukenik.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Balneotherapy at the Dead Sea area for knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Balneotherapy at the Dead Sea area has been applied in various inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. The efficacy of balneotherapy at the Dead Sea area for the treatment of degenerative rheumatic diseases has not yet been formally evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of balneotherapy at the Dead Sea area in patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knees. METHODS: Forty patients were randomly allocated into four groups of 10 patients. Group I was treated by bathing in a sulphur pool, group 2 by bathing in the Dead Sea, group 3 by a combination of sulphur pool and bathing in the Dead Sea, and group 4 served as the control group receiving no balneotherapy. The duration of balneotherapy was 2 weeks. RESULTS: Significant improvement as measured by the Lequesne index of severity of osteoarthritis was observed in all three treatment groups, but not in the control group. This improvement lasted up to 3 months of follow-up in patients in all three treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Balneotherapy at the Dead Sea area has a beneficial effect on patients with osteoarthritis of the knees, an effect that lastas at least 3 months.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Different modalities of spa therapy for skin diseases at the Dead Sea area.

BACKGROUND: Balneology and spa therapy, although not accepted as well-established treatment modalities in dermatology, are used throughout the world. The therapeutic properties for skin and rheumatic diseases of the Dead Sea area may be attributed to unique climatic characteristics and unique natural resources. The mechanisms by which a broad spectrum of diseases are alleviated by spa therapy may involve mechanical, thermal, and chemical effects. OBJECTIVE: To review and discuss various spa therapy modalities, used at the Dead Sea area for a wide spectrum of skin diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Existing evidence indicates the therapeutic potential of Dead Sea spa therapy modalities for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. A beneficial effect is hinted at for other skin diseases, but the absence of relevant methodological and clinical information precludes the drawing of any scientific conclusions. It is essential to establish therapeutic guidelines to determine the optimal treatment modality for each disease, and the optimal protocol of each treatment component, adjusted individually for each patient, with respect to remission and long-term adverse effects.

Balneology↗
PubMed1998

Clinical and radiographic outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis patients not treated with disease-modifying drugs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the radiographic and clinical features of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who were not given disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) with those of RA patients who were followed up and treated with DMARDs at a rheumatology clinic. METHODS: The population of this case-control study includes a series of RA patients who immigrated to Israel from the previous Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and who were treated only with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Control patients who were followed up and treated with DMARDs at our rheumatology clinic were matched by sex, disease duration, number of actively inflamed joints, and the presence of serum rheumatoid factor. The outcome measures were the number of deformed and radiographically damaged joints. Radiographic damage was evaluated by the methods of Steinbrocker and Sharp. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 22 RA patients (15 women, 7 men) who were not treated with DMARDs and 22 patients (15 women, 7 men) who were treated with DMARDs. The mean disease duration was 16.2 years for the study patients and 14.3 years for the controls. Compared with the matched controls, RA patients who were not treated with DMARDs were found to have a significantly higher mean number of deformed joints (13.8 versus 7.2), a higher mean number of damaged joints (24.4 versus 15.5), and a higher overall damage score by the Sharp criteria (146.1 versus 65.7). CONCLUSION: RA patients who were not given DMARDs had a 1.57-fold increased number of radiographically damaged joints and a 2.22-fold increased overall Sharp damage score compared with patients who were treated with second-line agents.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Blood pressure changes at the Dead Sea (a low altitude area).

The Dead Sea (barometric pressure: 800 mm Hg) is an important balneotherapeutic centre for chronic dermatologic and arthritic diseases. In the past, hypertensive patients have complained sporadically of weakness and dizziness during a stay in the Dead Sea. It was therefore recommended that hypertensives do not stay at these health centres. The aim of our study was to investigate the changes in blood pressure (BP) parameters of 72 hypertensive and normotensive osteoarthritic and rheumatoid arthritic elderly patients during a 2-week stay in the Dead Sea, and to further evaluate the effect of different balneotherapeutic means on these BP changes. Following a primary BP assessment at the out-patient clinic (Beer Sheva barometric pressure: 745 mm Hg), the patients were divided into four groups: (1)thermomineral pool; (2)Dead Sea water baths; (3) combination of the aforementioned treatments; and (4) controls (no balneotherapy). We demonstrated that the systolic BP (SBP) of hypertensives and normotensives decreased by an average of 17 mm Hg and that diastolic BP (DBP) decreased by an average of 8 mm Hg from their basic clinic-measured values. These favourable results were sustained during the first 10 days duration, and by the end of their stay they had diminished slightly. Thermomineral water had an additional lowering effect on the BP of the normotensives, but the SBP of hypertensives increased. Immediately following Dead Sea bath immersion, we noted a temporary increase of SBP in normotensives only. No patient, hypertensive or normotensive, complained of dizziness, malaise, or any other complaint. In our experience, patients feel well at low altitudes, and there is no justification in upholding hypertension as a contraindication to balneotherapy in the Dead Sea.

Adaptation, Biological↗
PubMed1998

Leukocytoclastic vasculitis induced by low-dose methotrexate: in vitro evidence for an immunologic mechanism.

The rare occurrence of methotrexate (MTX)-induced vasculitis has been associated mainly with high or intermediate MTX doses. We report herein a case of cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) following treatment with low-dose oral MTX (7.5 mg/week) for rheumatoid arthritis. The histological findings of a cutaneous lesion were consistent with drug-induced vasculitis. The clinical and histological findings, including the temporal relationship between MTX intake and the onset of vasculitis, and the results of withdrawal and rechallenge tests, suggest a causal relationship, and indicate a drug-induced LCV due to MTX. The role of MTX in the induction of the vasculitis was further supported by a positive mast cell degranulation (MCD) test.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Chronic tophaceous gout].

A 51-year-old immigrant from the Caucasus had had chronic tophaceous gout for over 20 years, but had never been treated with anti-hyperuricemic drugs. He had developed large, multiple tophi in many locations, including both ankles and feet. The enormous size and unique location of the tophi caused considerable pain, and difficulty in standing and on walking. Since surgical removal of the tophi was refused by the patient, a course of allopurinol, 300 mg/day, was begun.

Allopurinol↗
PubMed1997

Balneotherapy in autoimmune disease.

The mechanisms of action of balneotherapy in the treatment of autoimmune disease are not sufficiently clear. Although this therapy does not replace but rather complements conventional drug therapy, it is certainly beneficial in suitable cases. Additional controlled studies are needed to delineate the mechanisms of actions and the effectiveness of balneotherapy in autoimmune disease.

Arthritis, Psoriatic↗
PubMed1996

Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Cerebral venous thrombosis is a rare cause of focal neurological damage in patients with SLE. We describe a patient with SLE who presented with a focal neurological deficit and subsequently developed increased intracranial pressure. A superior sagittal sinus thrombosis was diagnosed by MRI. The association between SLE and superior sagittal sinus thrombosis is discussed. Early diagnosis is essential because treatment leads to a positive clinical outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Balneotherapy for rheumatic diseases at the Dead Sea area.

The Dead Sea region is the major spa area in Israel for patients with various types of arthritis. The unique climatic conditions in this area, and the balneologic therapy-which is based primarily on mud packs and bathing in sulfur baths and in Dead Sea water-combine to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis. Controlled studies conducted over the last 10 years have demonstrated that treatments provided at the Dead Sea have a positive effect on patients with inflammatory arthritides such as rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, and on non-inflammatory arthritides such as osteoarthritis. In addition, the use of mud packs and Dead Sea salts dissolved in regular bath water outside the Dead Sea region are also effective, although to a lesser degree than when applied at the Dead Sea area itself.

Balneology↗