Clinical evaluation of homoeopathic medicines in the management of sickle cell anaemia
Objectives: The objectives of the
study were to evolve a group of most effective homoeopathic medicines in the
management of sickle cell anaemia and to identify their reliable indications,
most useful potencies, frequency of administration and relationship with other
medicines.
Methods: The study was undertaken
by Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy at its Clinical Research Unit,
Sambalpur (Orissa) from 1987 to 2004. Five hundred cases were enrolled in the
study, out of which 94 cases dropped out whereas 406 cases had regular follow
up. Cases having frequent attacks of sudden pain/swelling of long bones and
joints, vertigo, fever, weakness, chest pain, headache, dyspnoea, pain in
abdomen, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and positive Sickling test were enrolled
for the study. Haemoglobin electrophoresis was carried out to confirm the
diagnosis. Medicines were prescribed on the basis of individual totality as per
the homoeopathic principles. Medicines in Q, 6X, 30, 200 and 1M potencies were
used in the study.
Results: Out of 406 cases followed up regularly; 98
cases improved markedly, 108 cases moderately, 128 cases mildly whereas 72
cases did not improve. Medicines found effective were: Alumina(n=55), Arsenic
album(n=39), Bryonia alba(n=395), Ceanothus
americanus (n=85), Chelidonium majus
(n=67), Kalmegh (n=60),
Lecithinum (n=35), Natrum muriaticum(n=57), Phosphorus(n=15), Pulsatilla
nigricans (n=12), Rhus toxicodendron(n=127)
and Vanadium metallicum(n=169).
Bryonia alba emerged as the most commonly indicated medicine in controlling
painful crisis attacks. The need for blood transfusion was decreased in a few
of the cases. However, when Hb% was found too low i.e. below 5 gms%, blood
transfusion was done to save the life of the patient.
Conclusion: The objectives to
identify the most effective medicines and their reliable indications have been
achieved. However, the other objectives, which include relationship between
different medicines, could not be achieved. A multi-centric trial with well
defined protocol is required for better scientific evaluation.
Keywords: homoeopathy;
sickle cell anaemia; sickle cell
trait; schistocytes; ovalocytes, target cells.
B.K.
Mondal, J.R. Chawdhary, D K Jha, G.Rakshit ,
Clinical
Research Unit, Sambalpur, Orissa.