Impact of Homeopathic Treatment on the Quality of Life of Women with Chronic Diseases: A Randomized Controlled Pragmatic Trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing demand for complementary and integrative medicine, only a few studies have evaluated the effect of these types of treatments on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the QoL of women treated with homeopathy within the Public Health System of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. METHODS: This is a prospective randomized controlled pragmatic trial. The patients were divided into two independent groups, one group underwent homeopathic treatment in the first 6-month period and the other did not receive any homeopathic treatment. In both randomized groups, patients maintained their conventional medical treatment when necessary. The World Health Organization Quality of Life abbreviated questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) was used for QoL analysis prior to treatment and 6 months later. RESULTS: Randomization afforded similar baseline results in three domains of QoL analysis for both groups. After 6 months' treatment, there was a statistically significant difference between groups in the physical domain of WHOQOL-BREF: the average score improved to 63.6 ± (SD) 15.8 in the homeopathy group, compared with 53.1 ± (SD) 16.7 in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Homeopathic treatment showed a positive impact at 6 months on the QoL of women with chronic diseases. Further studies should be performed to determine the long-term effects of homeopathic treatment on QoL and its determinant factors.

What Future for Hahnemann's Therapeutic System?

This article explores the historical growth patterns in homeopathy, recent shifts in perception, and a likely future of this type of medicine. Homeopathic medicine developed as a contradictory approach to health compared to the orthodox view of mainstream medicine. Over the past two centuries, this form of health care has maintained its heterodox position under continued attacks from the established order. Modern medicine is being pushed by materialism and the drive to generate profits by large pharmaceutical and health care corporations. Whilst homeopathy has also enjoyed economic growth in many markets around the world, rising popularity of this type of treatment has been shown to generate regulatory concerns on some fronts. Recent pressures from regulatory authorities have resulted in both setbacks and improved situations for homeopathic prescribers, varying by country where they are located. Despite widespread attacks in the press and from some governmental authorities, users of homeopathic therapies remain staunchly attached to this form of treatment. The future of homeopathy will likely continue to be as rocky as it has been for the past two centuries.

Frequently occurring polar symptoms assessed by successful cases.

BACKGROUND: Frequently occurring symptoms with opposite poles like 'Cold ameliorates/aggravates' are regarded valuable for homeopathic practice, but are insufficiently assessed and impossible to handle with conventional repertorisation. METHOD: In a pilot study 30 questions out of a standard questionnaire in 102 cases responding well to five medicines were analysed and compared with a control group of 100 consecutive new cases. Outcomes of a pivot table, Likelihood Ratio (LR) calculations and Multivariate Analysis (MVA) were compared. RESULTS: Some questions were less useful than expected. With an average of 4.8 useful answers per patient and moderate LRs this questionnaire provided substantial information. MVA was useful in emphasising differences between medicines and for differential diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The value of frequently occurring symptoms could be much enhanced by scientific assessment. We propose further research with an improved questionnaire.

How healthy are chronically ill patients after eight years of homeopathic treatment?--Results from a long term observational study.

BACKGROUND: Homeopathy is a highly debated but often used medical treatment. With this cohort study we aimed to evaluate health status changes under homeopathic treatment in routine care. Here we extend former results, now presenting data of an 8-year follow-up. METHODS: In a prospective, multicentre cohort study with 103 homeopathic primary care practices in Germany and Switzerland, data from all patients (age >1 year) consulting the physician for the first time were observed. The main outcome measures were: The patients' perceived change in complaint severity (numeric rating scales from 0 = no complaint to 10 = maximal severity) and quality of life as measured by the SF-36 at baseline, and after 2 and 8 years. RESULTS: A total of 3,709 patients were studied, 73% (2,722 adults, 72.8% female, age at baseline 41.0 +/- 12.3; 819 children, 48.4% female, age 6.5 +/- 4.0) contributed data to the 8-year follow-up. The most frequent diagnoses were allergic rhinitis and headache in adults, and atopic dermatitis and multiple recurrent infections in children. Disease severity decreased significantly (p < 0.001) between baseline, 2 and 8 years (adults from 6.2 +/- 1.7 to 2.9 +/- 2.2 and 2.7 +/- 2.1; children from 6.1 +/- 1.8 to 2.1 +/- 2.0 and 1.7 +/- 1.9). Physical and mental quality of life sores also increased considerably. Younger age, female gender and more severe disease at baseline were factors predictive of better therapeutic success. CONCLUSION: Patients who seek homeopathic treatment are likely to improve considerably. These effects persist for as long as 8 years.

A aplicabilidade das pics na assistencia de enfermagem em pacientes com doença crônica: revisão integrativa / The applicability of pics in nursing care for patients with chronic disease: integrative review / La aplicabilidad de la pics en los cuidados de enfermería a pacientes con enfermedades crónicas: revisión integradora

A implementação das PICs no Brasil é uma realidade, dessa forma, compreende-se que o enfermeiro é o profissional que em tese deve possuir habilidades para aplicar as técnicas em pacientes. Com base nisso, o objetivo do trabalho foi descrever a atuação da enfermagem através de Planos de ações por intermédio das PICs em individuos com diminuição da qualidade de vida em razão do desenvolvimento de doenças crônicas degenerativas. Dessa forma, o presente artigo trata-se de uma revisão integrativa de literatura. Os resultados obtidos mostram que a aplicabilidade das PICs, está consolidada, sendo uma prática bastante utilizada na intervenção terapêutica de indivíduos portadores de doenças crônicas degenerativas, na qual as mais utilizadas são: plantas medicinais, reiki, homeopatia, acupuntura e auricuoterapia, entretanto, em relação a assistência de enfermagem, foi observado impasses em relação a capacitação profissional. Logo, concluímos que com base nas produções cientificas existentes a respeito das PICs, a prática infere em diversos benefícios ao indivíduo, estas que se convergem a promoção de maior qualidade de vida ao paciente com doenças crônicas, porém, a falta de capacitação profissional revela um impasse ainda persistente.

The implementation of PICs in Brazil is a reality, therefore, it is understood that the nurse is the professional who, in theory, must have the skills to apply the techniques to patients. Based on this, the objective of the study was to describe the role of nursing through Action Plans through PICs in individuals with reduced quality of life due to the development of chronic degenerative diseases. Thus, this article is an integrative literature review. The results obtained show that the applicability of PICs is consolidated, being a practice widely used in the therapeutic intervention of individuals with chronic degenerative diseases, in which the most used are: medicinal plants, reiki, homeopathy, acupuncture and auricutherapy, however, in regarding nursing care, impasses regarding professional training were observed. Therefore, we conclude that based on the existing scientific productions regarding PICs, the practice infers in several benefits to the individual, these that converge to the promotion of a better quality of life for the patient with chronic diseases, however, the lack of professional training reveals a stalemate still persistent.

La implementación de los PICs en Brasil es una realidad, por lo tanto, se entiende que la enfermera es el profesional que, en teoría, debe tener las habilidades para aplicar las técnicas a los pacientes. Con base en esto, el objetivo del estudio fue describir el papel de la enfermería a través de Planes de Acción por medio de PICs en individuos con calidad de vida reducida debido al desarrollo de enfermedades crónico degenerativas. Así, este artículo es una revisión bibliográfica integradora. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la aplicabilidad de los PICs está consolidada, siendo una práctica ampliamente utilizada en la intervención terapéutica de individuos con enfermedades crónicas degenerativas, en la que las más utilizadas son: plantas medicinales, reiki, homeopatía, acupuntura y auricuterapia, sin embargo, en lo que respecta a los cuidados de enfermería, se observaron impasses en cuanto a la formación profesional. Por lo tanto, concluimos que con base en las producciones científicas existentes en relación a las PICs, la práctica infiere en varios beneficios al individuo, estos que convergen a la promoción de una mejor calidad de vida para el paciente con enfermedades crónicas, sin embargo, la falta de formación profesional revela un impasse aún persistente.

Homeopathic medical practice: long-term results of a cohort study with 3981 patients.

BACKGROUND: On the range of diagnoses, course of treatment, and long-term outcome in patients who chose to receive homeopathic medical treatment very little is known. We investigated homeopathic practice in an industrialized country under everyday conditions. METHODS: In a prospective, multicentre cohort study with 103 primary care practices with additional specialisation in homeopathy in Germany and Switzerland, data from all patients (age > 1 year) consulting the physician for the first time were observed. The main outcome measures were: Patient and physician assessments (numeric rating scales from 0 to 10) and quality of life at baseline, and after 3, 12, and 24 months. RESULTS: A total of 3,981 patients were studied including 2,851 adults (29% men, mean age 42.5 +/- 13.1 years; 71% women, 39.9 +/- 12.4 years) and 1,130 children (52% boys, 6.5 +/- 3.9 years; 48% girls, 7.0 +/- 4.3 years). Ninety-seven percent of all diagnoses were chronic with an average duration of 8.8 +/- 8 years. The most frequent diagnoses were allergic rhinitis in men, headache in women, and atopic dermatitis in children. Disease severity decreased significantly (p < 0.001) between baseline and 24 months (adults from 6.2 +/- 1.7 to 3.0 +/- 2.2; children from 6.1 +/- 1.8 to 2.2 +/- 1.9). Physicians' assessments yielded similar results. For adults and young children, major improvements were observed for quality of life, whereas no changes were seen in adolescents. Younger age and more severe disease at baseline were factors predictive of better therapeutic success. CONCLUSION: Disease severity and quality of life demonstrated marked and sustained improvements following homeopathic treatment period. Our findings indicate that homeopathic medical therapy may play a beneficial role in the long-term care of patients with chronic diseases.

Court affirms conviction for peddling phony AIDS cure.

AIDS: In 1996, [name removed] was convicted on charges of conspiracy and introducing an unapproved drug into interstate commerce and the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the conviction. [Name removed]'s company, Writers and Researchers Inc. sold a drug called 714X to individuals and physicians, promoting it as a nontoxic therapy for AIDS, cancer, and other chronic diseases. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned [name removed] that his marketing was illegal because the product had not been proven safe and effective for use in treating disease. [Name removed] argued that the product was a homeopathic drug, revealed by FDA tests to contain 94 percent water, and a mixture of nitrate, ammonium, camphor, chloride, ethanol, and sodium. The courts found that 714X was subject to FDA scrutiny because it was touted as a cure for cancer and AIDS.^ieng

Tratamento da diarreia crônica com o medicamento homeopatico phosphorus: relato de caso / Treatment of chronic diarrhea with the homeopathic medicine phosphorus: case report

Há poucos estudos sobre a eficácia do tratamento homeopático na diarréia crônica, por isso relatos de casos são os primeiros degraus da evidência clínica [1]. As pesquisas utilizando medicamentos altamente diluídos têm avançado significativamente e a Medicina sempre está em busca de novas abordagens terapêuticas. Sendo a Homeopatia uma possibilidade no tratamento devido à sua alta resolutividade e baixo custo, comentamos sobre este tema que vem assumindo a cada dia mais importância na sociedade, devido aos impactos que provoca. Este relato de caso tem como objetivo principal apresentar o tratamento Unicista orientado por Hahnemann. Apresentamos o caso de uma paciente adulta que procurou consulta homeopática por diarréia crônica, após longo período de tratamento alopático sem resolução. Relatamos o atendimento, a repertorização e o tratamento com o medicamento policresto Phosphorus (simillimum da paciente). Demonstramos o surpreendente resultado obtido com o tratamento, respeitando a individualidade da paciente e observando os fundamentos da Homeopatia. Concluímos que a atuação do médico tem importância relevante na condução do tratamento e na melhora de qualidade de vida do seu paciente, e que a Homeopatia é uma grande aliada ao minimizar os danos deste transtorno. A cura de uma doença pode ser feita com tratamento homeopático Unicista segundo os ensinamentos do Pai da Homeopatia.

There are few studies on the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment in Chronic Diarrhea, so case reports are the first steps of clinical evidence. Researchs using highly diluted drugs has advanced significantly. Considering a challenge, Medicine is looking for new therapeutic approaches and Homeopathy is a possibility in the treatment due to its high resolution and low cost. We briefly comment on this topic, which is becoming increasingly important in society, due to the impacts it causes. This case report has as main objective to present the homeopathic treatment in a Unicist way according to the guidelines of Hahnemann. In the patient's search for homeopathy, we studied the case, performed the repertorization and found Phosphorus as the patient's simillimum. We demonstrate the surprising result obtained with the homeopathic treatment, respecting the patient's individuality and observing the fundamentals of Homeopathy. We conclude that the doctor's performance has relevant importance in the conduct of the treatment and in the improvement of the patient's quality of life, and that homeopathy is a great ally in minimizing the damage of this disorder. The cure of a disease can be done with Unicist homeopathic treatment according to the teachings of the Father of Homeopathy.

Homeopathic approach in the treatment of patients with mental disability.

The author describes his experience assisting mentally disabled patients with homeopathy. In these patients' anamneses, common traits shared by some syndromes, pathologies and behaviour, were taken into consideration, mainly to choose the most characteristic symptoms in each case. The study includes 58 cases of patients suffering from this pathology: 28 females and 30 males, ages ranging from 1 to 49 years (mean 20). Forty-seven had some improvement. Homeopathy is a useful alternative to relieve pathologies associated with mental disability. In those cases in which there were similarities between remedy and whole symptomatology, improvements in adaptation skills and in overall health were observed.

Audit of outcome in 829 consecutive patients treated with homeopathic medicines.

An audit was conducted of 829 consecutive patients presenting for homeopathic treatment of a chronic illness, conventional treatment had either failed, plateaued in effect, or was contraindicated by adverse effects, age or condition of the patient. Of the 829 patients, 503 (61%) had a sustained improvement from homeopathic treatment, of these: * 357 patients (43%) had an excellent response; * 146 patients (18%) had a good response; * 6 patients (0.8%) became worse. * 233 patients (28%) were lost to follow-up.

Manejo médico de la bronquitis crónica exacerbada. Análisis comparativo entre médicos de instituciones gubernamentales y de práctica privada / Treatment of chronic exacerbated bronchitis. Comparative analysis between govermental institutions and private physicians

Introducción: La enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica ha tenido un incremento substancial en las últimas décadas lo que ha motivado incremento en los costos de atención. Una de las causas más importantes para su abatimiento es un tratamiento uniforme y racional. Objetivo: Determinar si existe un manejo homogéneo en la exacerbación de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, entre médicos no neumológos dedicados a la práctica privada y la institucional. Material y métodos: Se efectúo un estudio prospectivo, comparativo y transversal a través de una encuesta personal y anónima valida previamente por un grupo de neumólogos a 300 médicos provenientes de las diversas unidades de segundo y primer nivel (IMSS, ISSSTE y SSA) distribuidos en el Distrito Federal y del Estado de México, dividiéndose en dos grupos: A (institucional) y B (privado). Las preguntas estaban relacionadas al manejo con: Medidas generales, oxigenoterapia, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la insuficiencia respiratoria, uso de broncodilatadores y antibióticos utilizados. Los resultados se analizaron por medio de la X². Resultados: Del total de encuesta, se excluyeron 58 por no haber sido contestadas en su totalidad. El grupo mayoritario se integró con médicos de medicina interna, urgencias y terapia intensiva. El análisis demostró diferencias significativas en el manejo tanto intra como intergrupal que fueron determinantes en los costos de atención. Conclusión: No existe un tratamiento homogéneo en la exacerbación de la BC/Ep, por lo que se necesita implementar medidas de educación médica continua que permitan la instauración de normas de diagnóstico y tratamiento e implementación de los Consensos Nacionales creados ex profeso