Clinical
evaluation of homoeopathic medicines in upper respiratory tract infections
Background: Encouraging results of
the comparative study of URTI (Homoeopathy vs Allopathy) at Drug
Standardisation Unit, Hyderabad, CCRH unit led to take up this open observational study with the
objectives to identify a group of most effective homoeopathic medicines in
managing upper respiratory tract infections (laryngitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis,
sinusitis and tonsillitis) and to identify their reliable indications, most
useful potencies, frequency of administration and their relationship with other
medicines.
Methods: It was an observational study (Open clinical trial) carried out by
Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy at its Clinical Research Cum Epidemic Cell (Homoeopathy), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
(2000-05). A total of 303 patients suffering from upper respiratory
tract infection were enrolled and 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 303 cases of upper respiratory tract
infections studied, 11 cases were cured and 276 cases improved in varying
degrees: marked improvement in 215 cases, moderate improvement in 48 cases and
mild improvement in 13 cases. Sixteen cases did not show any improvement. A
group of fourteen medicines were found effective in relieving the signs and
symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. Most effective medicines were Arsenicum album (n=112), Justicea adhatoda (n=73), Lemna minor (n=28) and Silicea (n=18).
Conclusion: Although the study
was designed to include patients of laryngitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis,
sinusitis and tonsillitis,yet it was carried out only on acute rhinitis patients.
The outcome of the study shows that homoeopathic medicines are effective in
relieving the signs and symptoms of acute rhinitis. The indications of the
useful medicines were also identified. 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 as the ailment was of very short duration. A multi-centric
study on Acute rhinitis in children with well-defined protocol and outcome
assessment parameters has been initiated by CCRH since Oct.05.
D.D. Arya, P.S.
Chakraborty, D.B. Sarkar, R.P. Gupta
Clinical Research cum Epidemic Cell, Bhopal.