Individualized homoeopathic medicines in chronic tonsillitis of children: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, pilot trial

Tonsillitis refers to the inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsils usually extends to the adenoids and the lingual tonsils. Prevalence of tonsilitis cases are maximum in 6-12 yrs age group (61%), followed by 12-18 yrs age group (20%) and in 4-5 yrs children (10%). Conservative treatment includes antibiotics, and surgery, which is usually performed for recurrent or chronic pharyngotonsillitis. Though a number of patients refer homoeopathy for tonsilitis, but rigorous clinical research data is lacking. In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial at D. N. De Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, 60 children suffering from chronic tonsillitis will be randomized to either individualized homoeopathic medicines (verum; n=30) or identical-looking placebo (control; n=30). We aim to investigate whether there are any differences in outcomes between these two groups over 3 months of intervention. Questionnaire for evaluation of quality of life in children scores, and PedsQL inventory questionnaire version 4.0 scores will be used as the primary and secondary outcome measures rspectively. Comparative analysis will be carried out to examine group differences, if any. Results will be published in scientific journals.