Observed Deaths During the Spa Treatment not Associated with Treatment Itself: A Case Series in a Spa Hospital

Abstract

Objective: Spa therapy is one of the oldest forms of natural therapies for rheumatic diseases. The statement of the American College of Rheumatology positioned spa therapy as an essential complementary therapy for rheumatic diseases. Despite accumulating data in recent years, spa therapy has not been considered in all its aspects. One such area is mortality of spa therapy. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the number of deaths during spa therapy. Material and Methods: Data from 9224 patients admitted for spa therapy at the Bursa Military Spa Hospital between January 2000, and March 2007, were analyzed retrospectively. Patients stayed 21 days in the hospital. Patients were underwent a spa therapy treatment package consisted of thermal mud pack treatment, electrotherapy, massage and exercise therapy in addition to thermal mineral water baths. Results: Death had occurred in only 4 of these 9224 patients (0.04%), one during bathing (0.01%). AN patients who died in the hospital had osteoarthritis. All deaths in the spa hospital were result of cardiovascular arrest. Conclusion: Low mortality rate was observed among our study population who received spa therapy.