ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Prior vaccination is often studied for its impact on individuals' post-infection prognosis. Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) medicines, advised by the Government of India as prophylaxis during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, were consumed by the masses in 2020. A study was therefore undertaken to observe any association between the prior usage of AYUSH prophylactic medicines and post-infection severity as reported by recovered COVID-19 individuals. METHODS: This was a retrospective, multi-centre, cohort study conducted in 21 cities of India from 5th August to 30th November 2020. Data from recovered COVID-19 patients, of either sex or any age, captured information about AYUSH prophylactic medicines intake prior to infection, disease severity, symptomatology, duration of complaints, etc. The study participants were grouped into AYUSH intake and non-intake. Primary composite outcome was the disease clinical course. Secondary clinical outcomes were the rate of and time to clinical recovery. RESULTS: Data of 5,023 persons were analysed. Ayurveda or homeopathic prophylactic medicines were consumed by more than half of the study participants: that is, 56.85% (n = 1,556) and 56.81% (n = 1,555) respectively. The overall adjusted protective effect (PE) of AYUSH prophylactic intake against moderate/severe forms of COVID-19 disease was 56.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 48.7 to 63.50; p < 0.001). Adjusted PE for homeopathy and Siddha was 52.9% (95% CI, 42.30 to 61.50; p < 0.001) and 59.8% (95% CI, 37.80 to 74.10; p < 0.001), respectively. A statistically significant association was found between AYUSH prophylactic medicine intake and clinical recovery more frequently by the 3rd day of illness (χ2 = 9.01; p = 0.002). Time to resolution of symptoms in the AYUSH intake group was on average 0.3 days earlier than in the non-intake group (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: AYUSH prophylactics were associated with statistically significant levels of protection against COVID-19 disease severity. Amongst these, previous intake of homeopathy or Siddha medicines was associated with some protection against moderate/severe illness and with a somewhat quicker clinical recovery. Prospective studies with experimental research design are needed to validate the findings of this study. STUDY REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI/2020/08/027000).
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Homeopathy , Medicine, Ayurvedic , Severity of Illness Index , Humans , Retrospective Studies , Female , Male , COVID-19/prevention & control , India , Adult , Middle Aged , Homeopathy/statistics & numerical data , Homeopathy/methods , SARS-CoV-2 , Cohort Studies , Aged , Young Adult , Adolescent , COVID-19 Drug TreatmentABSTRACT
Fundamentos: la hipertensión arterial es el cuarto principal factor de riesgo de muerte e incapacidad, así como el responsable de más de 1.6 millones de fallecimientos en la India. Los informes de casos clínicos, los estudios observacionales y los ECA evidencian los efectos de los medicamentos homeopáticos en la hipertensión. Objetivos: los resultados de este estudio se añaden a la evidencia de la eficacia del uso de los medicamentos homeopáticos individualizados en la hipertensión de estadio I. Materiales y métodos: Se ha realizado un ensayo aleatorizado, simple ciego y controlado por placebo entre octubre de 2013 y marzo de 2018. El parámetro primario fue evaluar los cambios en la presión sistólica (PS) y la presión diastólica (PD) mensualmente durante tres meses. 217 pacientes de los 2,127 pacientes examinados cumplieron los criterios de selección y fueron aleatorizados para recibir un medicamento en potencias Q (o potencias LM) más indicaciones para la modificación del estilo de vida (MEV) (116 pacientes) o bien placebo + MEV (101 pacientes). La modificación del estilo de vida incluyó actividad física y dieta como parte de la pauta terapéutica. El análisis fue de intención de tratamiento. Resultados: Las mediciones ANOVA repetidas entre los grupos mostraron una diferencia estadística significativa (Lambda de Wilks 0.85, F=12.12, dF=213, P=0.0001) tanto en la PS como en la PD a favor de la Homeopatía individualizada. La prueba t independiente post hoc mostró una reducción media significativa de la PS [diferencia media 7.12 mmHg, IC del 95%; CI 4.72 a 9.53, P=0.0001] y un descenso medio de la PD [diferencia media 5.76 mmHg, IC del 95%: 4.18 a 7.23, P=0.0001] a favor del grupo con Homeopatía más MEV. Los medicamentos más utilizados fueron: Sulphur (n=24), Natrium muriaticum (n=21), Lycopodium (n=16), Nux vomica (n=12) y Phosphorus (n=10). Conclusiones: Se ha constatado que la Homeopatía individualizada junto con la MEV fue más eficaz que el placebo junto con la MEV en los pacientes que sufren hipertensión en estadio I. Se precisan más ensayos en un marco estricto. (AU)
Background: Hypertension (HTN) is a leading risk factor for death and disability and responsible for over 1.6 million deaths in India. Clinical case reports, observational studies and randomised controlled trials show the effects of homoeopathic medicine in HTN. Objectives: The results of this study will add to the evidence of effectiveness of individualised homoeopathic medicine in Stage I HTN. Methods: A single-blind, randomised, placebocontrolled trial was undertaken from October 2013 to March 2018. The primary outcome measure was to evaluate the change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) every month for 3 months. Of 2,127 patients screened, 217 patients who fitted the inclusion criteria were randomised to receive either homoeopathic Q potencies (or LM potencies) plus lifestyle modification (LSM)=116 or placebo + LSM=101. LSM included physical activity and diet as part of the treatment regimen. Analysis was by intention to treat. Results: Repeated-measure ANOVA between the groups showed statistically significant difference (Wilk lambda 0.85, F=12.12, df=213, P=0.0001), in both SBP and DBP favouring Individualised Homoeopathy (IH) along with LSM. Post hoc independent t-test showed a significant mean reduction in SBP (mean difference 7.12 mmHg, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.72-9.53, P=0.0001) and DBP (mean difference 5.76 mmHg, 95% CI: 4.18-7.23, P=0.0001) favouring Homoeopathy plus LSM group. Sulphur (n=24), Natrum muriaticum (n=21), Lycopodium (n=16), Nux vomica (n=12) and Phosphorus (n=10) were the most useful medicines. Conclusion: IH in LM potency along with LSM was found effective over placebo along with LSM in the patients suffering from Stage I HTN. Further trials in rigorous setting are warranted. (AU)