Homeopathy in Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis
- Conditions
- Chronic Allergic Rhinitis
- Registration Number
- CTRI/2012/12/003193
- Lead Sponsor
- Mahesh Bhattacharyya Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital
- Brief Summary
The prevalence ofallergic rhinitis (AR) is increasing at an alarming rate throughout theworld. India has an estimated number of15-20 million patients with allergic bronchial asthma and 30-80% of thesesuffer from AR. So, AR is considered as a major chronic respiratory disease dueto its prevalence, impact on quality of life (QoL), work/school performance andproductivity, economic burden and links with asthma. This research aims attesting the role of classical homeopathy in bringing changes in serum immunoglobulinE (IgE) level and absolute eosinophil count (primary outcome measures) and QoLissues related to AR (secondary outcome measures) by comparing the pre-trialand post-trial data. An open label,single arm, experimental, prospective,non-randomized, non-controlled, before and after comparison pilot study wascarried on thirty participants suffering from chronic AR. Institutional ethicalclearance was obtained; then thirty four consenting patients were enrolledafter screening by eligibility criteria and were allocated to classical homeopathictreatment. Four cases were dropped out and thirty cases were regular. Outcomemeasures were assessed and analyzed after one year. After one year of homeopathic treatment, loweringof serum IgE level (1006.83±395.17 *vs*336.5±126.96; *P* = 0.00003), absoluteeosinophil count of blood (600.33±103.61 *vs*302.5±82.21; *P* = 0.00008) and QoLscores of AR (113.67±17.85 *vs*58.13±12.39; *P* = 0.00006) werestatistically significant. No adverse effects and/or complications wereobserved. Data suggestthat classical homeopathic treatment may be a useful measure for the patientssuffering from chronic AR. However, multi-centric randomized controlled trialswith larger sample size and longer duration should be undertaken forconfirmation of the conclusion.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- Completed
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 34
Inclusion criteria included diagnosed cases of chronic allergic rhinitis of minimum 1 year duration, age between 18 and 65 years, both sexes, atopic (reactive to allergens with positive skin prick test results) and/or eosinophilia, and written informed consent from the patient.
Exclusion criteria consisted of nasal abnormalities causing obstruction, e.g. nasal polyp(s), deviated septum etc., previous homeopathic immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis, allergen avoidance in past 6 weeks, avoidance of usual environment for more than 1 week during trial, severe asthma cases as detected clinically, respiratory infection, presence of severe concomitant disease(s), pregnancy, breast feeding, or likelihood of pregnancy, oral or parenteral steroids and/or decongestant in past 6 months, and conventional desensitization in past 3 months.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Study Design
- Not specified
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Serum Immunoglobulin E level and Absolute Eosinophil Count 1 year
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Quality of Life assessment score for patients with chronic allergic rhinitis 1 year
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Mahesh Bhattacharyya Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital Medicine OPD Room 12 every Monday
🇮🇳Haora, WEST BENGAL, India
Mahesh Bhattacharyya Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital Medicine OPD Room 12 every Monday🇮🇳Haora, WEST BENGAL, IndiaAmitava BiswasPrincipal investigatorprincipalmbhmch@gmail.com