Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, pilot trial of individualized homoeopathic medicines in iron deficiency anaemia

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a problem of high magnitude in developing countries, especially among women and children. Global prevalence is estimated at 24.8% of the population. No trial in homeopathy has yet been up taken to explore the effects of individualized homeopathic medicines (IHMs) in IDA. The objective of this trial was to explore the efficacy of IHMs in the treatment of IDA. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at the Outpatient departments of Mahesh Bhattacharyya Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, India. Sixty participants with IDA were randomized to receive either IHMs (n = 30) or identical-looking placebos (n = 30). Primary outcome measures were blood hemoglobin percentage and serum ferritin level; secondary outcome measure was the fatigue severity scale (FSS) questionnaire scores; all measured at baseline and after 3 months. Group differences and effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were calculated on the intention-to-treat (ITT) sample. Groups were comparable at baseline. Recruitment, retention, and attrition rates were 47.2%, 95%, and 5% respectively. Group differences in serum ferritin level favored IHMs against placebo (P = 0.019), but differences in blood hemoglobin percentage (P = 0.201) and FSS questionnaire scores (P = 0.301) were non-significant. Natrum muriaticum and Sulphur were the most frequently prescribed medicines. Barring some minor events unrelated to interventions, no harm or serious adverse events were recorded in either of the groups. Thus, IHMs acted significantly better than placebos in the treatment of IDA. Independent replications are warranted to substantiate the findings.