Individualized Homeopathic Medicines in Treatment of Hyperuricemia: Evaluation by Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Abstract

Introduction Hyperuricemia (HU) is a major health issue in India and across the globe. It increases the disease burden and hampers quality of life. This study was aimed at exploring the effects of individualized homeopathic medicines (IHMs) against placebo in the treatment of HU. Methods This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 60 patients suffering from HU in the outpatient department of D. N. De Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. Each patient received either IHMs or identical-looking placebos, along with advice on dietary modifications irrespective of codes. Serum uric acid (SUA) level was the primary outcome measure; the HU quality of life questionnaire (HUQLQ) and the Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile version 2 (MYMOP-2) were the secondary outcomes; all measured at baseline, and every month, up to 3 months. Group differences were examined by two-way (split-half) repeated-measures analysis of variance after adjusting for baseline differences. Significance level was set at p ≤0.05, two-tailed. Results The intention-to-treat sample (n = 58) was analyzed. Between-group differences in SUA levels (F 1, 56 = 13.833, p <0.001), HUQLQ scores (F 1, 56 = 32.982, p <0.001) and MYMOP-2 profile scores (F 1, 56 = 23.873, p <0.001) were statistically significant, favoring IHMs against placebos, with medium to large effect sizes. Calcarea carbonica and Pulsatilla nigricans were the most frequently prescribed medicines. No serious adverse events were reported from either of the groups. Conclusion IHMs showed significantly better results than placebos in reducing SUA levels and improving quality of life in patients suffering from HU. Trial registration CTRI/2019/10/021503; UTN: U1111–1241–1431.

An Evidence-Based Homoeopathic Case Series in the Treatment of Hyperuricemia

“…[12] Similarly, a double-blind, randomized, placebocontrolled trial of individualized homeopathic medicines in the treatment of hyperuricemia by Ghosh et al showed significantly better results in reducing SUA levels and improving quality of life among such patients by prescribing individualized homeopathic medicines as compared to placebo. [13].…”

Women in Homeopathy

“…Each of the first two papers is a randomised controlled trial (RCT) in humans, on the novel topics of ringworm and hyperuricemia, with inconclusive and positive findings respectively. 2,3 An international survey on the uptake and prevalence of the use of repertory software among homeopathy practitioners is the topic of our third article. 4 The ever-eclectic nature of homeopathy research is reflected in the remaining papers: an RCT on homeopathic products as a complementary dietary additive for pigs 5 ; an in-vitro experiment on the antimicrobial activity of dynamised essential oil of the medicinal plant Aloysia polystachya 6 ; and the laboratory development of a method to immobilise solvatochromic dyes on cellulose films that will refine the investigation of dye-potency interactions.…”