Individualized Homeopathic Medicines in the Management of Symptomatic Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy in Children: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Globally, adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) is one of the most prevalent upper respiratory tract disorders of children, with associated troublesome symptoms such as sleep apnea and cognitive disturbances. In this study, we evaluated the potential role of individualized homeopathic medicines in the management of symptomatic ATH in children. METHODS: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted at five institutes under the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, India. Primary and secondary outcomes (symptom score for adenoids, other symptoms of ATH, Mallampati score, tonsillar size, Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder of the Paediatric Sleep Questionnaire [SRBD-PSQ]) were assessed through standardized questionnaires at baseline and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Radiological investigations for assessing the adenoid/nasopharyngeal (A/N) ratio were carried out at baseline, 6 and 12 months. All analyses were carried out using an intention-to-treat approach. RESULTS: A total of 340 children were screened and 202 children suffering from ATH were enrolled and followed up monthly for 12 months. Each patient received individualized homeopathic treatment based on the totality of symptoms. Statistically significant reductions in adenoid symptom score, Mallampati score (including tonsillar size), SRBD-PSQ sleep quality assessment and A/N ratio were found over time up to 12 months (p < 0.001). Homeopathic medicines frequently indicated were Calcarea carbonicum, Phosphorus, Silicea, Sulphur, Calcarea phosphoricum, Pulsatilla, Lycopodium and Tuberculinum. No serious adverse events were recorded during the study period. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that homeopathic medicines may play a beneficial role in the management of symptomatic ATH in children. Well-designed comparative trials are warranted.

The Patient Population at Homeopathic Outpatient Clinics across India: A Clinical Data Collection Study.

BACKGROUND: Even though several initiatives have been undertaken in different locations worldwide to collect clinical data in homeopathy, it is important to further investigate these aspects in the context of health care in India. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to gather and analyze patients' clinical data and to derive insights into homeopathic treatment using an internet-based software program for data storage, retrieval and repertorization. METHODS: A multi-center observational study was conducted across 14 homeopathy outpatient clinics in India that are affiliated with the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH). Patient symptoms and demographic details were documented anonymously, and prescriptions were guided by repertorial suggestions from the Vithoulkas Compass software. During follow-up visits, treatment outcome was also recorded using an online assessment form. A retrospective analysis of data on patients' demographics, follow-up visits, morbidity (International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision), rubrics used, prescribed medicines and the level of improvement was achieved using Microsoft Excel-generated pivot tables. RESULTS: Throughout the study duration of one year a total of 2,811 patients attended the 14 outpatient clinics, of whom 2,468 were new patients with a total of 2,172 initial homeopathic prescription entries. Across the study, there were 3,491 prescriptions and 1,628 follow-up consultations for 868 follow-up patients, all of which data were thoroughly analyzed. The highest frequency of patients was in the 20-49 age group, and a higher proportion of the patients overall was female. Musculoskeletal, dermatological and respiratory complaints were the most frequently reported. The rubrics "Desire for sweets" and "Desire for spices" emerged as the most commonly used in the repertorizations. Further, Sulphur stood out as the most commonly prescribed medicine overall. With homeopathic treatment, some degree of clinical improvement was reported in 86% of the follow-up cases. CONCLUSION: Homeopathy is prescribed in CCRH outpatient clinics for a wide range of ailments in people across India, with at least some clinical improvement noted in a high proportion of those patients. The large-scale systematic data collection in these clinics has provided clear insights into the use and clinical value of homeopathy in India, with the potential to build a substantive nationwide data inventory over time.

Homeopathy in chronic sinusitis: a prospective multi-centric observational study.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to ascertain the therapeutic usefulness of homeopathic medicine in the management of chronic sinusitis (CS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multicentre observational study at Institutes and Units of the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, India. Symptoms were assessed using the chronic sinusitis assessment score (CSAS). 17 pre-defined homeopathic medicines were shortlisted for prescription on the basis of repertorisation for the pathological symptoms of CS. Regimes and adjustment of regimes in the event of a change of symptoms were pre-defined. The follow-up period was for 6 months. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 16. RESULTS: 628 patients suffering from CS confirmed on X-ray were enrolled from eight Institutes and Units of the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy. All 550 patients with at least one follow-up assessment were analyzed. There was a statistically significant reduction in CSAS (P = 0.0001, Friedman test) after 3 and 6 months of treatment. Radiological appearances also improved. A total of 13 out of 17 pre-defined medicines were prescribed in 550 patients, Sil. (55.2% of 210), Calc. (62.5% of 98), Lyc. (69% of 55), Phos. (66.7% of 45) and Kali iod. (65% of 40) were found to be most useful having marked improvement. 4/17 medicines were never prescribed. No complications were observed during treatment. CONCLUSION: Homeopathic treatment may be effective for CS patients. Controlled trials are required for further validation.

A multi-centric open clinical trial to evaluate the usefulness of 13 predefined homeopathic medicines in the management of acute rhinitis in children

Aims: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of a group of homeopathic medicines in children with acute rhinitis. Materials and methods: In this multi-centric open clinical trial, a total of 784 children (408 males; 384 females) aged 6 months to 15 years, presenting symptoms of acute rhinitis were enrolled from 7 Institutes/ Units under the Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (India). Symptoms were assessed using an acute rhinitis symptom score (ARSS). A total of 13 homeopathic medicines were shortlisted after repertorizing the nosological symptoms of acute rhinitis in children and the results were analyzed. The medicines were prescribed in dilution 6c (10-12) and doses were repeated from few minutes to few hours as per the need of the case. Appearance of any change (improvement or worsening) was followed by placebo / change in dilution or change in medicine according to the response of the patient. The follow up period was up to the 7th day of illness. Results: Out of 784 children enrolled, 638 children were followed up and analyzed. A significant change in the score from the baseline (p<0.05) was observed. Twelve medicines were found to be useful in 638 children suffering from acute rhinitis and among them Nux-v (n=109), Merc (n=106) and Bell (n=88) were the most useful. No complications were observed during the treatment. Adverse events in the form of hyperpyrexia were observed in 2 children only. Conclusion: This study indicates the usefulness of homeopathic medicines in the management of acute rhinitis of children; controlled studies are needed to investigate their efficacy and effectiveness.

Objetivos; este estudo objetivou avaliar o efeito de um grupo de medicamentos em crianças com rinite aguda. Materiais e métodos: neste estudo multicêntrico aberto, foram recrutadas 784 crianças (408 masculinas; 384 femininas) com idade entre 6 meses e 15 anos apresentando sintomas de rinite aguda e que consultaram 7 institutos/centros sob o Conselho Central de Pesquisa em Homeopatia (Índia). Os sintomas foram avaliados através de um escore para sintomas de rinite aguda (ARSS). Um total de 13 medicamentos homeopáticos foi estabelecido após repertorização dos sintomas nosológicos da rinite aguda em crianças e os resultados foram analisados. Os medicamentos foram prescritos na diluição 6cH (10-12) e as doses foram repetidas de minutos a horas segundo a necessidade em cada caso. O aparecimento de qualquer mudança (melhora ou piora) foi seguido pela prescrição de placebo ou mudança da diluição ou do medicamento, de acordo com a resposta do paciente. O período de acompanhamento foi até o 7º dia da doença. Resultados: dentre as 784 crianças recrutadas, 638 foram acompanhadas e analisadas. Houve mudança significativa no escore (p<0,05) por comparação ao ingresso. Doze medicamentos foram úteis em 638 crianças com rinite aguda, entre eles Nux-v (n=109), Merc (n=106) e Bell (n=88) foram os mais úteis. Não foram observadas complicações durante o tratamento. Efeitos adversos sob a forma de hiperpirexia foram observados somente em 2 crianças. Conclusão: este estudo indica a utilidade dos medicamentos homeopáticos no manejo da rinite aguda em crianças; são necessários estudos controlados para determinar sua eficácia e efetividade.

Objetivos: este estudio buscó evaluar el efecto de un grupo de medicamentos homeopáticos en niños portadores de rinitis aguda. Materiales y métodos: en este estudio multicéntrico abierto fueron reclutados 784 niños (408 niños; 384 niñas) de edad entre 6 meses y 15 años que consultaron con síntomas de rinitis aguda en 7 institutos/centros dependientes del Consejo Central de Investigación en Homeopatía (India). Los síntomas fueron evaluados mediante un score para síntomas de rinitis aguda (ARSS). Fueron listados 13 medicamentos homeopáticos después de repertorización y análisis de los síntomas de rinitis aguda en niños. Los medicamentos fueron prescritos en la dilución 6cH (10~12) y las dosis fueron repetidas desde minutos a horas según la necesidad en cada caso. La aparición de todo cambio (mejoría o empeoramiento) fue seguida de prescripción de placebo/cambio de la dilución o del medicamento según la respuesta del paciente. Los pacientes fueron acompañados hasta el 7º día de tratamiento. Resultados: De 784 niños reclutados, 638 fueron acompañados y analizados. Fue observado cambio significativo en el score (p<0,05). Doce medicamentos se mostraron útiles en 638 niños portadores de rinitis aguda; entre ellos, Nux-v (n=108), Merc (n=106) y Bell (n=88) fueron los más útiles.