What do homeopathic doctors think of vaccines? An international online survey.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Parental refusal to vaccinate is a cause of serious concern. Use of homeopathy is believed to be a relevant reason for parents to refuse to vaccinate. However, vaccination is one of the main gaps dividing between medically qualified or not homeopathic practitioners. The present study sought to investigate the attitude of homeopathic doctors towards vaccination and associated variables. METHODS: An international online survey was conducted with homeopathic doctors by means of an anonymous self-reported questionnaire in Portuguese or Spanish. Questions investigated sociodemographic and professional characteristics, overall opinion on vaccination and on some specific vaccines. RESULTS: A total of 512 responses were obtained, 77.5% of respondents were from Latin American countries, 16.8% from Spain, with small numbers from several other countries. About 75.6% of the respondents considered vaccination safe, effective and necessary, while 12.5% stated they would not recommend vaccination under any circumstance. The variables significantly correlated with positive attitude towards vaccination were: working in the public health system (p=0.04) and homeopathy not the main medical activity (p=0.005). Homeopaths from Brazil, where homeopathy is officially accredited, were more favorable to vaccination compared to respondents from countries where homeopathy has inferior status (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results show that there is no contradiction between homeopathy and primary prevention by means of vaccination.

Prevalence and likelihood ratio of symptoms in patients with good therapeutic response to Lycopodium clavatum. A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the likelihood ratio (LR) of symptoms has been proposed as a rational means for detecting indicators to homeopathic medicines. AIMS: To investigate the prevalence and LR of symptoms commonly attributed to the homeopathic medicine Lycopodium clavatum (Lyc). Secondarily, to answer the question if experienced homeopaths could intuitively infer which the main symptoms of this medicine are. METHODS: The presence of 35 selected symptoms, prescribed medicines and therapeutic response were assessed retrospectively. The symptoms' prevalence in the Lyc responding population and the LR of the symptoms compared to their prevalence in the remainder of the population were calculated. RESULTS: Two hundred and two Lyc and 550 non Lyc cases (total 752) were included for analysis. Twenty-two symptoms were confirmed as pertaining to Lyc's semiology (prevalence %; LR): contemptuous (3.3; 6.7), urinary stones history (2.7; 5.4), egotism (5.6; 3.6), dictatorial (33.3; 3.4), haughty (8.7; 3.3), sleeps on abdomen (3.3; 3.3), intolerance to clothing in abdomen (12.0; 3.1), reproaches (4.0; 3.0), helplessness (24.0; 2.7), fear of failure (10.7; 2.6), irritability on waking in the morning (16.7; 2.5), constipation alternating with diarrhea (8.7; 2.5), intolerant to contradiction (59.3; 2.3), want of self confidence (30.0; 2.4), abdominal distension after eating (23.3; 2.1); ailments from anticipation (32.0; 1.9), irritability before menses (23.3; 1.8), conscientious (26.0; 1.6), desire of sweets (52.0; 1.6), desire of chocolate (16.7; 1.6), lack of vital heat (41.3; 1.3), and flatterer (1.3; ∞). Surveyed homeopaths' intuitive inferences correlated well with symptoms' prevalence but not with their LR. CONCLUSIONS: Lycopodium's main symptoms are well known by homeopaths, but their knowledge correlates well with the symptoms' prevalence and not with their LR. Retrospective assessment of prevalence and LR of symptoms in good responders might be a means for better selection of symptoms for prospective studies.

Ulcera varicosa de miembro inferior: relato de un caso clínico tratado con homeopatía / Tratamento homeopático de úlcera varicosa: relato de caso / Homeopathic treatment of venous ulcer: case report

El artículo relata el caso de una mujer de 86 años, con una extensa úlcera varicosa en el miembro inferior izquierdo de 15 meses de evolución, tratada únicamente con el medicamento homeopático Pulsatilla nigricans en diferentes diluciones. La paciente mostró una rápida respuesta favorable, que llevó a la curación casi completade la úlcera en menos de 5 meses de tratamiento.

O artigo descreve o caso de uma paciente d 86 anos de idade com extensa úlcera varicosa na perna com 15 meses de evolução, tratada exclusivamente com o medicamento homeopático Pulsatilla nigrincas, em várias diluições. A paciente melhorou rapidamente e úlcera curou quase completamente em menos de 5 meses.

This article reports the case of an 86 year-old woman presenting an extended varicose ulcer in her lower left limb for 15 months, treated exclusively with homeopathic medicine Pulsatilla nigricans in various dilutions. The patient improved quickly, and the ulcer cured almost completely in less than 5 months.

Prospective observational study of 42 patients with atopic dermatitis treated with homeopathic medicines.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disease which usually develops during childhood. Despite being a condition frequently treated with homeopathy, the evidence is still insufficient to define homeopathic treatment's efficacy and the best therapeutic strategies. AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment of AD in a general homeopathic practice setting. METHODS: Patients spontaneously seeking homeopathic treatment meeting Hanifin and Rajka's criteria were prospectively treated. Severity of disease was evaluated by Rajka and Langeland's score and a set of four Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) evaluating disease severity, itch, general and psychological wellbeing and quality of sleep. Assessed outcomes were: change in AD extension, change in VASs, and a categorical scale for global subjective perception of evolution. RESULTS: Forty two patients were eligible. Twenty-one had other atopic comorbidities and 28 (66.7%) were moderate or severe cases. Sixteen (38.1%) patients dropped out. Significant differences were found comparing first and last consultations in mean percentage (95%CI) of affected skin area, 21.1% (10.9; 31.4) versus 5.5% (1.3; 9.7) respectively, P=0.002, and in the change or the four VASs: [mm (95%CI)] AD 31.1 (20.6; 41.7), P<0.0001; Itch 35.0 (23.6; 46.4), P<0.0001; General wellbeing 11.1 (1.2; 20.9), P<0.0188, and Sleep 17.4 (5.0; 29.8), P<0.0073. Homeopathic aggravations were reported after 29.8% of prescriptions. Twelve individualized homeopathic medicines were prescribed; Sulphur accounted for 60% of cases with good treatment response. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that in a general medical practice setting, homeopathic treatment could be regarded as an effective choice for patients with AD.

First Edition of Hahnemann's Organon: Celebrating its 200th Anniversary

With this special issue, IJHDR celebrates the 200th anniversary of the first edition of Hahnemann?s Organon, published in 1810. By 1796, in a previous foundational article published in Hufeland?s prestigious Journal of Practical Medicine [1], after criticizing with fine reasoning the usual ways of studying the ?curative properties of medicinal substances?, namely according to their chemical actions, their effects on animals, their external aspect or sensitive properties, their taxonomic classification, or the random use of multiple drugs by the so called empiricists, Hahnemann stated what can be regarded as one of the cornerstones of homeopathy: ?The true physician, whose sole aim is to perfect his art, can avail himself of no other information respecting medicines, than ? first, what is the pure action of each by itself on the human body? Second, what do observations of its action in this or that simple or complex disease teach us?(AU)

First Edition of Hahnemann's Organon: celebrating its 200th anniversary: [editorial]

With this special issue, IJHDR celebrates the 200th anniversary of the first edition of Hahnemann?s Organon, published in 1810. By 1796, in a previous foundational article published in Hufeland?s prestigious Journal of Practical Medicine [1], after criticizing with fine reasoning the usual ways of studying the ?curative properties of medicinal substances?, namely according to their chemical actions, their effects on animals, their external aspect or sensitive properties, their taxonomic classification, or the random use of multiple drugs by the so called empiricists, Hahnemann stated what can be regarded as one of the cornerstones of homeopathy: ?The true physician, whose sole aim is to perfect his art, can avail himself of no other information respecting medicines, than ? first, what is the pure action of each by itself on the human body? Second, what do observations of its action in this or that simple or complex disease teach us?.