Homeopathy in Lymphatic Filariasis: A Narrative Review

Abstract

AbstractLymphatic filariasis (LF) is globally considered a neglected tropical disease (NTD), as well as the second leading cause of disability. The financial and social burden of LF is significant and has an impact on the patient's ability to work, participate in social activities, and raise a family. Diethylcarbamazine (DEC), an antifilarial medication, is currently the preferred treatment for LF. However, its use can have some short-term adverse events. So, the effective management of LF is the need of the hour for preventing disease progression and episodes of acute adenolymphangitis. This article attempts to review the available literature on homeopathic intervention, which is an alternative, cost-effective and safer therapeutic option in the treatment of LF. A comprehensive search was made for studies conducted from 1980 to 2019 in different databases and resources, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. In addition, a manual search of monographs and research studies of the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) related to filariasis was conducted through the AYUSH Research Portal, Archive on Homoeopathy, and CCRH e-library. According to study design, aims and objectives, sample size, study duration, intervention, outcome parameters, and results, the literature that is currently accessible has been categorized. Out of 15 studies screened, 8 related to homeopathy on LF were selected for this review. Of these, 1 randomized open label comparative trial, 2 single-blind nonrandomized placebo-controlled trials, 4 single-arm interventional trials, and 1 retrospective observational study were found. Except one single blind placebo-controlled nonrandomized study, the outcomes of other studies were found to be in favor of homeopathy. The review shows that there may be some beneficial effects of homeopathy in the management of LF. However, there are inconsistencies, gaps in the study, and insufficient outcome measures in the included literatures, which make it impossible to draw any firm conclusions. Subsequent research endeavors ought to surmount these challenges and conform to enhanced research design and methods.