Journal article

Publication year: 2017

Pages: 87-94

Journal: Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine

Volume number: 27

Issue number: 2

ISSN: 0940-6689

eISSN: 1439-085X

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-104052

Publisher: Georg Thieme Verlag

Abstract: 

Purpose According to clinical observations patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) present an average benefit after serial low-dose radon and hyperthermia (sRSTH) exposure, without precisely knowledge of the mechanisms.

Materials and Methods The effects of sRSTH exposure in a therapeutic adit (12 visits to the adit in 3 weeks) were prospective investigated in 25 patients with RA (mean age 58 years) and an age-matched control group of 24 patients with osteoarthritis (OA). The following outcome parameters were measured: pain by visual analogue scale (VAS), pain medication, function capacity (Funktionsfragebogen Hannover - FFbH), the serum levels of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin(IL)-6, IL-10, receptor activator of NF kappa-B ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and also the RANKL/OPG ratio as a marker of bone metabolism. In parallel anti-CCP-antibodies (ACPA) in RA-patients were analyzed. Measurements were performed at baseline and after completion of sRSTH, only VAS, pain medication, and FFbH were measured 3 months after sRSTH. A biological treatment or any drugs which could potentially influence bone metabolism was excluded.

Results RA-patients presented directly after sRSTH a significantly decreased pain (p < 0.001), lasting up to 3 months after sRSTH (p < 0.001), and a significant reduction of pain medication, whereas OA-patients showed only after 3 months a significantly pain reduction (p < 0.01). Furthermore RA-patients presented a significant increase of the FFbH directly after and 3 months after sRSTH (p < 0.001, respectively). Both groups showed a significant decrease of TNF-alpha serum levels (RA: p < 0.001; OA: p < 0.001). Whereas the IL-6 levels showed no changes, RA-patients showed a significantly decrease of the IL-10 levels (p < 0.001), the RANKL/OPG ratio (p < 0.01), and the ACPA levels (p < 0.001).

Discussion In patients with RA, sRSTH exposure in a therapeutic adit results in a reduction of pain and increase of function capacity. Also, there was a decrease of osteocatabolic and an increase of osteoanabolic cytokine levels, which represents the molecular basis for inhibiting osteoclastic activity in secondary osteoporosis of inflammatory disease.

Conclusion Thus, serial radon(adit) therapy has an important role in a multi-modaly treatment strategy for RA.

Harvard Citation style: Lange, U., Dischereit, G., Mueller-Ladner, U., Tarner, I. and Kuerten, B. (2017) The Impact of Serial Radon and Hyperthermia Exposure in a Therapeutic Adit on Clinical Parameters and Pivotal Cytokines in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis, Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 27(2), pp. 87-94. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-104052

APA Citation style: Lange, U., Dischereit, G., Mueller-Ladner, U., Tarner, I., & Kuerten, B. (2017). The Impact of Serial Radon and Hyperthermia Exposure in a Therapeutic Adit on Clinical Parameters and Pivotal Cytokines in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis. Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. 27(2), 87-94. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-104052