Table 1: Baseline characteristics of the study population.

Characteristics Balneotherapy group Control group Total
Female (%) 20 (90.9) 18 (81.8) 38 (86.4)
Age, mean (SD), years 57.4 (11.6) 59.4 (8.3) 58.4 (10.0)
Employment status, No. (%)
   Employed 7 (31.8) 6 (27.3) 13 (29.5)
   Sick leave 1 (4.5) 1 (4.5) 2 (4.5)
   Disabled 5 (22.7) 6 (27.3) 11 (25.0)
   Retired 8 (36.4) 9 (40.9) 17 (38.6)
Duration of Disease, mean (SD), years 17.6 (10.5) 14.9 (10.8) 16.3 (10.6)
Functional Status, No. (%)
   I 2 (9.1) 3 (13.6) 5 (11.4)
   II 14 (63.6) 14 (63.6) 28 (63.6)
   III 6 (27.3) 5 (22.7) 11 (25.0)
HAQ-DI, mean (SD) 1.50 (0.59) 1.34 (0.83) 1.42 (0.72)
DAS28, mean (SD) 4.92 (1.55) 4.54 (1.53) 4.73 (1.53)
Ultrasonography, mean (SD)
   Synovitis (left) 1.00 (0.76) 0.45 (0.60) 0.75 (0.75)
   Synovitis (right) 0.68 (0.78) 0.95 (0.72) 0.84 (0.78)
   Hypervascularization (left) 0.59 (0.85) 0.23 (0.69) 0.43 (0.87)
   Hypervascularization (right) 0.36 (0.79) 0.45 (0.80) 0.41 (0.79)