Yagev Ronit, Tsumi Erez, Avigur Joan, Polyakov Pavel, Levy Jacov, Lifshitz Tova
Department of Ophthalmology, Soroka University Medical Center and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
Isr Med Assoc J. 2005 Feb;7(2):86-90.
Uveitis is an acute or chronic inflammatory process of the uvea caused by a number of etiologies. In many patients the etiology is unknown.
To investigate the effect of the Dead Sea environment (climatotherapy) on the signs, symptoms and clinical course of chronic uveitis.
Fifty-five patients with chronic uveitis were examined at the beginning and end of a 3-4 week stay at the Dead Sea region and on repeat visits to the region. Study data included demographic information, medical history, etiology, diagnosis, medication, and a complete ophthalmic examination.
Statistically significant improvements were seen between the two examinations within each visit in four parameters (negative values indicate improvement): a) visual acuity for near and far: Jaeger (-0.98 +/- 0.18, P < or = 0.001) and best corrected visual acuity (-0.22 +/- 0.04, P < or = 0.0001); b) anterior chamber flare (-0.18 +/- 0.06, P < or = 0.01); c) anterior chamber cells (-0.12 +/- 0.03, P < or = 0.0001); and d) vitreous cells (-0.17 +/- 0.05, P < or = 0.001). There was a significant mean improvement during visits to the Dead Sea area and a slight dissipation of the effect during the intervals between visits. Sixty-four percent of the patients reported that they required less medication and had fewer and milder attacks of uveitis following the visits.
The results of this study provide evidence of short- and possibly long-term improvement in the signs and symptoms of uveitis following exposure to the Dead Sea environment.
葡萄膜炎是由多种病因引起的葡萄膜急性或慢性炎症过程。许多患者的病因不明。
研究死海环境（气候疗法）对慢性葡萄膜炎的体征、症状及临床病程的影响。
55例慢性葡萄膜炎患者在死海地区停留3 - 4周的开始和结束时以及再次到访该地区时接受检查。研究数据包括人口统计学信息、病史、病因、诊断、用药情况以及全面的眼科检查。
每次就诊的两次检查之间，四个参数有统计学意义的改善（负值表示改善）：a）近视力和远视力：耶格视力表（-0.98±0.18，P≤0.001）和最佳矫正视力（-0.22±0.04，P≤0.0001）；b）前房闪辉（-0.18±0.06，P≤0.01）；c）前房细胞（-0.12±0.03，P≤0.0001）；d）玻璃体细胞（-0.17±0.05，P≤0.001）。在到访死海地区期间有显著的平均改善，且在两次到访间隔期间效果略有消退。64%的患者报告称，到访后他们需要的药物减少，葡萄膜炎发作次数减少且症状减轻。
本研究结果提供了证据，表明暴露于死海环境后葡萄膜炎的体征和症状有短期乃至可能长期的改善。
