A Meta-Analysis of the Homeopathic Treatment of Pollinosis with <i>Galphimia glauca</i>

Abstract

<i>Objective:</i> 1) To assess the efficacy of homeopathically prepared <i>Galphimia glauca</i> compared with placebo in the treatment of pollinosis; 2) to estimate the corresponding overall success rate of <i>Galphimia glauca</i>. <i>Design:</i> Meta-analysis of clinical trials. <i>Study Selection:</i> Seven randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials and 4 non-placebo-controlled trials (1 randomized and controlled, 1 prospective and uncontrolled) performed by our study group between 1980 and 1989. An additonal MEDLINE search revealed no further trials on this topic. Exclusion and inclusion criteria were identical over all trials. In total, 1,038 ambulatory patients who suffered from acute pollinosis (752 in placebo-controlled trials) entered the analysis. <i>Main Outcome Measures:</i> Relative frequency and relative change for showing noticeable and soothing relief in ocular symptoms as assessed by the patient. <i>Results:</i> The overall rate of improved eye symptoms is about 1.25 [confidence interval (CI): 1.09–1.43] times higher in the verum group than in the placebo group. Verum success rate is estimated by 79.3% (CI: 74.1–85.0%). Across the single studies the results were highly comparable except for the study run in 1985. <i>Conclusions:</i> A significant superiority of <i>Galphimia glauca</i> over placebo is demonstrated. Estimates of verum success rates are comparable with those of conventional antihistaminics, but no side effects occurred. The results may be slightly biased since not all of the single studies were analyzed by intention-to-treat analysis.