Quality of life at the dead sea region: the lower the better? an observational study
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RESEARCH
Open Access
Quality of life at the dead sea region: the lower the better? an observational study Avital Avriel1*†, Lior Fuchs2†, Ygal Plakht3, Assi Cicurel4, Armando Apfelbaum4, Robert Satran4, Michael Friger5, Dimitry Dartava4 and Shaul Sukenik2
Abstract Background: The Dead Sea region, the lowest in the world at 410 meters below sea level, is considered a potent climatotherapy center for the treatment of different chronic diseases. Objective: To assess the prevalence of chronic diseases and the quality of life of residents of the Dead Sea region compared with residents of the Ramat Negev region, which has a similar climate, but is situated 600 meters above sea level. Methods: An observational study based on a self-administered questionnaire. Data were collected from kibbutz (communal settlement) members in both regions. Residents of the Dead Sea were the study group and of Ramat Negev were the control group. We compared demographic characteristics, the prevalence of different chronic diseases and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) using the SF-36 questionnaire. Results: There was a higher prevalence of skin nevi and non-inflammatory rheumatic diseases (NIRD) among Dead Sea residents, but they had significantly higher HRQOL mean scores in general health (68.7 ± 21 vs. 64.4 ± 22, p = 0.023) and vitality (64.7 ± 17.9 vs. 59.6 ± 17.3, p = 0.001), as well as significantly higher summary scores: physical component score (80.7 ± 18.2 vs. 78 ± 18.6, p = 0.042), and mental component score (79 ± 16.4 vs. 77.2 ± 15, p = 0.02). These results did not change after adjusting for social-demographic characteristics, health-related habits, and chronic diseases. Conclusions: No significant difference between the groups was found in the prevalence of most chronic diseases, except for higher rates of skin nevi and NIRD among Dead Sea residents. HRQOL was significantly higher among Dead Sea residents, both healthy or with chronic disease.
Introduction The Dead Sea (DS) region has a unique climate. Its special therapeutic climatic advantages are recognized throughout the world. For many years this geographical area has served as a climatotherapy center for the treatment of various skin and rheumatic diseases [1-4], as well as pulmonary, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal diseases [5-8]. The DS is situated in the Syrian-African Rift Valley. At 410 meters below sea level it is the lowest place in the world. Its geographic and meteorological characteristics generate a rare combination of climatic characteristics including:
* Correspondence: [email protected] † Contributed equally 1 Pulmonary Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben Gurion Avenue, Beer-Sheva, 84101, Israel Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
1. The highest barometric pressure on earth (800 mm hg) with a partial oxygen pressure (PIO2) of 8% more than at sea level. This has therapeutic advantages in several respiratory and cardiovascular diseases [9,10]. 2. A unique UV radiation, which is typical only of the DS regi
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