A comparative evaluation of the efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicines and urtica urens in treatment of hyperuricemia in adults: an open-label, parallel-arm, intervention study

This study investigates the comparative effectiveness of individualized homoeopathic medicines and Urtica urens in managing hyperuricemia in adults through an open-label, parallel-arm intervention design. Hyperuricemia is defined as elevated serum uric acid caused by either increased production or reduced renal excretion, predisposing patients to gout, nephrolithiasis and cardiovascular risk. Serum uric acid higher than 7.0 mg per dL, in men and higher than 6.0 mg per dL, in women is used as the diagnostic benchmark for enrolment. The study aims to assess reduction in uric acid levels and improvement in overall quality of life using the EQ-5D-5L scale. Participants are randomized into two groups: one receiving potentized Urtica urens and the other receiving individualized homoeopathic medicines selected on the basis of totality of symptoms.

Adults aged 18–70 years of both sexes are included, provided they have hyperuricemia within the specified uric acid thresholds, are not under any treatment for the same condition for at least one month, and have not taken homoeopathic medicines in the previous four weeks. Exclusion criteria include pregnancy and lactation, unstable psychiatric illness, immune-compromised states, substance abuse, secondary hyperuricemia associated with advanced pathology such as leukemia or tumor lysis syndrome, and patients taking medications for hyperuricemia within the past month. Participants are followed every four weeks for six months, and serum uric acid evaluations are conducted at baseline, at the third and sixth follow-ups. The comparative outcomes are statistically analyzed to determine which approach offers greater reduction in serum uric acid and better improvement in health-related quality of life.