Subscribe to RSS
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1779723
Facilitating Healing in Diabetic Foot Ulcers Using Homeopathy in a Multi-Disciplinary Integrative Approach: Two Evidence-Based Case Reports
Funding None.![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/10.1055-s-00034926/EFirst/lookinside/thumbnails/10-1055-s-0044-1779723_2300088-1.jpg)
Abstract
Background A rising incidence of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in India has escalated the rate of lower limb amputations in the country. The present study aims to evaluate the potential healing properties of homeopathic medicines as a part of the integrative management of DFUs through two evidence-based case reports.
Methods Two patients with DFUs, identified as Wagner grade 2, having had diabetes for 12 years, were treated with individualized homeopathic medicine within a multi-disciplinary approach. Both cases were on oral hypoglycemic agents for managing blood sugar, continued their diabetic medication, and were advised to use regular wound dressings. The DFUs were assessed using the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) score at baseline and every 4 weeks until complete wound healing. Neuropathic changes were evaluated by the 10g monofilament tactile test, and the Modified Naranjo Criteria for Homeopathy—Causal Attribution Inventory (MONARCH) tool was used to assess the likelihood of there being a causal relationship between clinical improvement and the homeopathic intervention.
Results The DFUs showed healing within 12 weeks, with a significant improvement in the PUSH score, though there was no change in tactile sensation as assessed by the monofilament test. The MONARCH tool yielded +9 in both cases, indicating the likelihood of a causal relationship between the clinical outcome and homeopathic intervention. The homeopathic medicines Arsenicum album and Lachesis respectively were found useful by each patient.
Conclusion Homeopathy appeared beneficial in facilitating the early healing of DFUs within a multi-disciplinary integrative approach.
Keywords
Arsenicum album - Lachesis - Homeopathy - Diabetic foot ulcer - Pressure Ulcer Scale for HealingPublication History
Received: 29 July 2023
Accepted: 26 November 2023
Article published online:
05 March 2024
© 2024. Faculty of Homeopathy. This article is published by Thieme.
Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany
-
References
- 1 Anjana RM, Unnikrishnan R, Deepa M. et al Metabolic non-communicable disease health report of India: the ICMR-INDIAB national cross-sectional study (ICMR-INDIAB-17). Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2023; 11: 474-489
- 2 World Health Organization. Diabetes in India. Accessed, October 8, 2023 at: www.who.int/india/health-topics/mobile-technology-for-preventing-ncds
- 3 Ghosh P, Valia R. Burden of diabetic foot ulcers in India: evidence landscape from published literature. Value Health 2017; 20: A485
- 4 Edmonds M, Manu C, Vas P. The current burden of diabetic foot disease. J Clin Orthop Trauma 2021; 17: 88-93
- 5 Fortington LV, Geertzen JHB, van Netten JJ, Postema K, Rommers GM, Dijkstra PU. Short and long term mortality rates after a lower limb amputation. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2013; 46: 124-131
- 6 Armstrong DG, Swerdlow MA, Armstrong AA, Conte MS, Padula WV, Bus SA. Five year mortality and direct costs of care for people with diabetic foot complications are comparable to cancer. J Foot Ankle Res 2020; 13: 16
- 7 Nayak C, Singh K, Singh H. et al. A prospective observational study to ascertain the role of homoeopathic therapy in the management of diabetic foot ulcer. Am J Med 2011; 104: 166-176
- 8 Mahesh S, Mallappa M, Vithoulkas G. Gangrene: five case studies of gangrene, preventing amputation through homoeopathic therapy. Indian J Res Homoeopathy 2015; 9: 114-122
- 9 Ponnam HB, Lamba CD, Oberai P. et al. Calendula mother tincture vs normal saline for ulcer dressing as an add-on to individualized homoeopathic intervention in the management of diabetic foot ulcer: a randomized controlled pilot study. Indian J Res Homoeopathy 2020; 14: 233-241
- 10 Tan LS. The clinical use of the 10g monofilament and its limitations: a review. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2010; 90: 1-7
- 11 Al-Qaisi M, Nott DM, King DH, Kaddoura S. Ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI): an update for practitioners. Vasc Health Risk Manag 2009; 5: 833-841
- 12 Rathnaganpathi T, Raghupathy T. Clinical evaluation of peripheral vascular disease in diabetic foot ulcer. J Res Med Dent Sci 2021; 9: 312-318
- 13 Shah P, Inturi R, Anne D. et al. Wagner's classification as a tool for treating diabetic foot ulcers: our observations at a suburban teaching hospital. Cureus 2022; 14: e21501
- 14 Gardner SE, Hillis SL, Frantz RA. A prospective study of the PUSH tool in diabetic foot ulcers. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs 2011; 38: 385-393
- 15 Tool PUSH. 3.0 (web version). National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel. Accessed on June 12, 2022 at: http://www.npuap.org/resources/educational-and-clinical-resources/push-…
- 16 van Haselen RA. Homeopathic clinical case reports: development of a supplement (HOM-CASE) to the CARE clinical case reporting guideline. Complement Ther Med 2016; 25: 78-85
- 17 Lamba CD, Gupta VK, van Haselen R. et al. Evaluation of the modified Naranjo criteria for assessing causal attribution of clinical outcome to homeopathic intervention as presented in case reports. Homeopathy 2020; 109: 191-197
- 18 Prasad R. Homoeopathy booming in India. Lancet 2007; 370: 1679-1680
- 19 Bellavite P. Homeopathy and integrative medicine: keeping an open mind. J Med Person 2015; 13: 1-6
- 20 Kaur H, Chalia DS, Manchanda RK. Homeopathy in public health in India. Homeopathy 2019; 108: 76-87
- 21 Chand KS, Manchanda RK, Mittal R, Batra S, Banavaliker JN, De I. Homeopathic treatment in addition to standard care in multi drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis: a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial. Homeopathy 2014; 103: 97-107
- 22 Kaur H, Kaushik S, Singh G. et al. Homeopathy as an adjuvant to standard care in moderate and severe cases of COVID-19: a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Homeopathy 2023; 112: 184-197
- 23 Kiruthiga S. Homoeopathic Thyroidinum 3x—an adjuvant in the treatment of hypothyroidism. Int J Complement Altern Med 2018; 11: 00339
- 24 Zimny S, Pfohl M. Healing times and prediction of wound healing in neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers: a prospective study. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2005; 113: 90-93