How healthy are chronically ill patients after eight years of
homeopathic treatment?--Results from a long term observational study.
This interesting study from Germany showed that patients who seek
homeopathic treatment are likely to improve considerably. These
effects persist for as long as 8 years.
Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité
University Medical Center, D-10098 Berlin, Germany.
BACKGROUND: Homeopathy is a highly debated but often used medical
treatment. With this cohort study we aimed to evaluate health status changes
under homeopathic treatment in routine care. Here we extend former results,
now presenting data of an 8-year follow-up.
METHODS: In a prospective, multicentre cohort study with 103 homeopathic
primary care practices in Germany and Switzerland, data from all patients (age
1 year and up) consulting the physician for the first time were observed.
The main outcome measures were: The patients' perceived change in
complaint severity (numeric rating scales from 0 = no complaint to 10 = maximal
severity) and quality of life as measured by the SF-36 at baseline, and after 2
and 8 years.
RESULTS: A total of 3,709 patients were studied, 73% (2,722 adults, 72.8%
female, age at baseline 41.0 +/- 12.3; 819 children, 48.4% female, age 6.5 +/-
4.0) contributed data to the 8-year follow-up.
The most frequent diagnoses were allergic rhinitis and headache in adults, and
atopic dermatitis and multiple recurrent infections in children.
Disease severity decreased significantly (p < 0.001) between baseline, 2 and 8
years (adults from 6.2 +/- 1.7 to 2.9 +/- 2.2 and 2.7 +/- 2.1; children from 6.1
+/- 1.8 to 2.1 +/- 2.0 and 1.7 +/- 1.9).
Physical and mental quality of life sores also increased considerably.
Younger age, female gender and more severe disease at baseline were factors
predictive of better therapeutic success.
CONCLUSION: Patients who seek homeopathic treatment are likely to improve
considerably. These effects persist for as long as 8 years.
PMCID: PMC2630323
PMID: 19091085 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]