Clinical
evaluation of homoeopathic medicines in osteoarthritis
Objectives: The objectives of
the study were to identify a group of most effective homoeopathic medicines in
osteoarthritis and to identify their reliable indications, most useful
potencies, frequency of administration and their relationship with other
medicines.
Methods: It was a multi-centric
observational study (Open clinical trial) carried out by Central Council for
Research in Homoeopathy at its Central Research Institute (Homoeopathy),
Kottayam, Kerala (2000-05), Regional Research Institute (Homoeopathy),
Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh (1984-2005) and Clinical Research Unit (Homoeopathy),
Patiala, Punjab, (1994-2003). A total of 1049 out of 1323 osteoarthritis
patients enrolled were followed up regularly. The detailed case
recording was done in each case and the medicine (similimum) was prescribed
according to the principles of Homoeopathy. The cases were monitored for
assessing the improvement status according to the pre-defined criteria and the
results were evaluated.
Results: Out of 1323 osteoarthritis cases studied,
1007 cases improved in varying degrees: marked improvement in 304 cases,
moderate improvement in 325 cases and mild improvement in 378 cases. Forty
cases did not improve, 2 were worse and 274 dropped out. A group of
homoeopathic medicines were found effective in relieving the symptoms &
signs of osteoarthritis when prescribed as per their indications. Most
effective medicines were Arnica (n=10),
Arsenicum album (n=10), Bryonia alba (n=86), Calcarea carbonica (n=92),
Calcarea fluoricum (n=15), Causticum (n=8), Graphites (n=15), Lycopodium clavatum
(n=168), Medorrhinum (n=21), Natrum mur. (n=11), Pulsatilla (n=26), Rhus toxicodendron (n=279)
and Sulphur (n=83).
Conclusion: The prevalence of the disease is more in
females and the vulnerable age is between 40 and 75 years The outcome
of the study shows that homoeopathic medicines are effective in managing
osteoarthritis. The most reliable indications of the medicines found useful
were deduced in this study.. The most frequently affected joints are knees,
shoulders and lumbar spine. The most useful potencies were 30 and 200. The
other objectives of the study which included frequency of administration of
medicines and their relationship with other medicines could not be achieved.
Further study with predefined biochemical and radiological markers needs to be
conducted.
T. N. S. Kurup, T.
Vasanthiamma, P. S. Sivadas, K. R. J. Nair, P. G. Mohanan,S. Gopinadhan, P.
Paul Sumitran,
Central Research Institute (Homoeopathy), Kottayam, Kerala
G.C.
Sehgal
Clinical Research Unit (Homoeopathy), Patiala, Punjab.
K.
Bhanumurty and D.M. Rao,
Regional Research Institute (Homoeopathy), Gudivada, A.P.