Table 2.
Between-groups comparison in endpoint and exploratory variables, at baseline
| Intervention
|
MBT group, n=22
|
LTA group, n=20
|
P-valuea | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endpoint | Mean | 95% CI | Mean | 95% CI | |
| IL-6, Lnb | 0.95 | 0.56–1.34 | 1.30 | 0.928–1.666 | 0.25 |
| ET, minutes | 26.95 | 19.94–27.95 | 23.95 | 19.94–27.95 | 0.24 |
| Exploratory | |||||
| CRP, Lnb | 1.47 | 1.09–1.84 | 1.56 | 1.10–2.02 | 0.76 |
| ACTH, Lnb | 3.09 | 2.85–3.34 | 3.31 | 3.04–3.58 | 0.28 |
| IL-1β, [IR:OOR<]c | [B: 2:20] | [A: 2:20] | [B: 1:19] | [A: 1:18] | {3.1–43.3 pg/mL}d |
| TNF-α, [IR:OOR<]c | [B: 3:19] | [A: 4:18] | [B: 2:18] | [A: 2:17] | {15.8–379.9 pg/mL}d |
| Lactatebefore_IRB | 1.58 | 1.21–1.94 | 1.31 | 1.01–1.61 | 0.24 |
| Lactateafter_IRB | 1.37 | 1.18–1.56 | 1.22 | 0.96–1.47 | 0.32 |
| MIP, cm H2O | 88.8 | 80.78–96.82 | 79.2 | 70.74–87.57 | 0.10 |
| SIP, cm H2O | 35.53 | 31.89–39.17 | 32.25 | 27.96–35.61 | 0.16 |
| SIP/MIP, % | 41.58 | 37.95–45.22 | 41.26 | 41.03–44.84 | 0.88 |
Notes:
P-value.
Natural logarithm units.
IR indicates in range of the titration curve and OOR< indicates out of range, and below the lower limits of the titration curve. The numbers in square brackets are IR:OOR< ratios, as both cytokines were undetectable in the majority of patients either before [B] or after [A] thermal interventions.
Standard reference range in curly brackets is reported as pg/mL.
Abbreviations: ACTH, adrenocorticotrophin hormone; CI, confidence interval; CRP, C-reactive protein; ET, endurance time; IL-6, interleukin 6; IL-1β, interleukin 1-beta; LTA, leisure thermal activity; MBT, mud bath therapy; MIP, maximum inspiratory pressure; SIP, sustainable inspiratory mouth pressure, in cm H2O, and as SIP/Pimax%; TNF-α, interleukin tumor necrosis factor alfa.