Evaluation of the quality of life after individualized homeopathic treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis. A prospective, open, non-comparative study

Maria Goossens; Gert Laekeman; Bert Aertgeerts; Frank Buntinx; The ARCH study group: Marc Dandois, Leon Scheepers, Jean-Louis Smout, Michel van Wassenhoven, Jo Linmans, Erwin Doeuvre

doi:10.1016/j.homp.2008.11.008

Homeopathy, Table of Contents

Homeopathy 2009; 98(01): 11-16
DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2008.11.008

Original Paper

Evaluation of the quality of life after individualized homeopathic treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis. A prospective, open, non-comparative study

Authors

Maria Goossens

¹Department of General Practice, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, ACHG-KULeuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33, Blok J, bus 7001, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
Gert Laekeman

²Pharmacology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
Bert Aertgeerts

¹Department of General Practice, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, ACHG-KULeuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33, Blok J, bus 7001, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
Frank Buntinx

¹Department of General Practice, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, ACHG-KULeuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33, Blok J, bus 7001, 3000 Leuven, Belgium

³Universiteit Maastricht, The Netherlands

The ARCH study group: Marc Dandois, Leon Scheepers, Jean-Louis Smout, Michel van Wassenhoven, Jo Linmans, Erwin Doeuvre

Subject Editor:

Abstract

Background: Quality of life (QoL) is an important outcome measure in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), a condition for which homeopathy is frequently used.

Objective The assessment of the effect of homeopathic medical prescriptions with the Rhino-conjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) in the treatment of SAR.

Methods: A prospective, open, non-comparative study was conducted in Belgium. Patients aged between 14 and 68 years with SAR were treated by one of seven homeopathic physicians. Patients completed the RQLQ at baseline and again after three and four weeks of homeopathic treatment.

Results: Seventy-four patients were screened, of whom 46 met the study eligibility criteria (average age 36 years, 70% female). The mean RQLQ score at baseline was 3.40 (±.98). After three and four weeks of homeopathic treatment it had fallen to 1.97 (±1.32) (P = 0.0001), and 1.6 (±1.28) (P = 0.0001), respectively.

Conclusions: After homeopathic treatment, patients reported an alleviation of their symptoms of allergic rhinitis as reported in the RQLQ. A formal Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) is indicated.

Keywords

homeopathy - allergic rhinitis - quality of life

Full Text

References

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