A Prospective Multicentre Observational Study to Evolve the Usefulness of the Nine Predefined Homeopathic Medicines in Furunculosis

Summary

A prospective, multicentre observational study was conducted on furunculosis with nine predefined trial medicines to arrive at a group of useful homeopathic medicines for the treatment of furunculosis. 539 patients were included in the study but 397 patients were regularly followed up. Predefined trial medicines were given as per individualization on holistic principles of homeopathy. A furunculosis symptom score (FSS) was designed to assess the severity of illness. There was significant difference in the mean total FSS between baseline and end of the treatment favouring homeopathic care. 85 % of the patient population needed one of the following four trial medicines: Hepar sulphuris, Antimonium crudum, Sulphur and Calcarea carbonica. The results were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05) with all nine predefined trial medicines. Controlled study should be undertaken to further support the efficacy and effectiveness of homeopathic medicines in the treatment of furunculosis.

Key words

Furunculosis - Prospective observational study - Hepar sulphuris - Antimonium crudum - Sulphur - Calcarea carbonica - Calcarea phosphorica - Berberis - Arsenicum album - Arnica montana - Echinacea

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1 Dependent samples (or “paired”) t-tests typically consist of a sample of matched pairs of similar units, in this case prior to treatment and after treatment.

2 The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient (denoted by r) is a measure of the correlation (linear dependence) between two variables X and Y, giving a value between + 1 and − 1 inclusive.