Can individualized homoeopathic medicines bring a ray of hope the patients of rheumatoid arthritis: A pilot study

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common autoimmune disorders, affecting approximately 0.75% of the population in India i.e., around 7 million people. Clinical case reports, observational studies and RCTs show effects of homoeopathic medicine in the pain management and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Although no concrete inference can be drawn on the basis of these studies due to their small sample sizes and short study duration. Therefore, this pilot study is made to study the efficacy of the homoeopathic remedies in the treatment of RA as well as scope of further researches in this disease condition. Material and Methods: The pilot study was undertaken in the Out Patient Department of State National Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India from March 2021 to March 2022. Out of 40 patients screened, 22 patients fitted to the inclusion criteria were enrolled to receive individualized Homeopathic medicines in centesimal potency (30,200,1M or more). Patients were enrolled on the basis of American College of Rheumatology 2010 classification criteria. Out of these 22 patients, only 16 patients have completed the follow up of six or more months. Disease Activity Score 28 score was used to assess the patients at baseline and at 6 months. The objective of the study to assess the changes in Disease Activity Score 28 at the end of 6 months from the baseline.Results: Paired t-test was applied to the DAS 28 score data obtained at baseline and the end of 6 months and comparison between the values is statistically significant (mean diff.- 2.136, 95% CI=1.640 to 2.632, p value= 0.000000315) favouring individualized homeopathy. The medicines were selected after detailed case taking and repertorization. Conclusion: The study has clearly indicated that individualized homoeopathic medicines can be useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.