homeopathy, homeopathic drugs, drug therapy, clinical trials, double blind method, random allocation, placebos, steroids, adverse effects, respiratory function tests, immunoglobulins

103 patients suffering from corticosteroid-dependent asthma took part in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of the homoeopathic anti-inflammatory combination drug Traumeel S in order to investigate its effects on their clinical condition as well as upon certain spirometric and immunological indices. The study took place between January and December 1995. Seventy-one subjects received one ampule of Traumeel subcutaneously every 5-7 days while the remaining thirty-two received placebo. Before and after thirty weeks of treatment spirometric determination of FVC and FEV1 values was undertaken, and levels of serum immunoglobulin IgE, IgG, IgA and IgM were measured. PEFR values were taken daily and granulocyte function was measured using the tests of Clausen, Park and Bellavite. After five months results showed that mean values of PEFR, FVC and FEV1 among asthmatic patients were not sigificantly differenct from values among the placebo group. However granulocyte function tests showed significant results in favour of Traumeel S over placebo. Serum IgE levels decreased significantly in the Traumeel S group however significant differences were not not recorded regarding IgA, IgG and IgM levels among the two groups. Mean corticosteroid dosage among the Traumeel S group was reduced from 4.6 mg/day to 2.6 mg/day while it increased among the placebo patients (4.6 mg/day to 2.6 mg/day). It is concluded that Traumeel S can improve the clinical condition of corticosteroid-dependent asthmatic patients which can lead to a reduction in corticosteroid usage and therefore less adverse effects experienced through their use.

Bronchial asthma in childhood: management by means of homeopathia

HOMEOPATHIC DRUGS, OUTCOME AND PROCESS ASSESSMENT, CHILD

A retrospective study was carried out on 120 children who had been treated with individualised homoeopathic treatment between the years 1985 and 1990 in order to assess its effectiveness in the treatment of bronchial asthma. Outcome was assessed according to four categories which were defined based on the period of time which elapsed between each crisis - "Satisfactory improvement", "Manifest improvement", "Relative improvement" and "No reaction". Remedies prescribed most frequently were Lycopodium clavatum, Sulphur, Pulsatilla and Silicea. Other medicines prescribed were Phosphorus, Nux vomica, Kalium carbonicum and Arsenicum album. Results showed that 44.2% of patients had a "satisfactory reaction", 36.7% a "manifest improvement", 18.3% a "relative improvement" and 0.8% showing "no reaction". It is concluded that homoeopathy is an effective intervention in the treatment of bronchial asthma which may contribute to a decreased number of hospitalizations, however a double-blind trial is worth pursuing.