Quality of Life Related to Health in Spa Users

Observational Study for the Assessment of Quality of Life Related to Health in Users of the Spa of Fitero (Navarra).

Hypothesis: The spa therapy treatment could improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in subjects with knee and/or hip osteoarthritis, and patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Main objective: Analyze if HRQOL in patients with knee and/or hip osteoarthritis, and patients with rheumatoid arthritis is modified by spa therapy treatment in the spa of Fitero (Spain).

Design: Prospective observational study Participants: Fitero's spa users aged between 45-80 years old, diagnosed with knee and/or hip osteoarthritis, and also with rheumatoid arthritis. At least 40 patients of each type will be included in the study. Participants must be receiving a treatment of at least ten days.

Main Variable: The scores obtained in the Euroqol5Dimensions-5Levels questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) (for all subjects), the Western Ontario MacMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire, for subjects with knee and/or hip osteoarthritis, and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), for subjects with rheumatoid arthritis.

Other variables: sociodemographic, anthropometric, clinics, and related with spa treatment.

Follow-up duration: 9 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• diagnosed arthrosis of knee or hip and/or rheumatoid arthrosis
• balneotherapy treatment of at least 10 days.
• physically and mentally able to complete questionnaires

Exclusion Criteria:

• have followed a balneotherapy treatment in the six previous month