Abstract:
Background: Conventional management of Rhematiod Arthritis (RA) includes
administration of Non- Steroidal Anti- Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), disease modifying
anti‑rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like Methotrixate and anti-tumor necrosis factor α
monoclonal antibody (anti‑TNFά). Gastric ulcers, bleeding and perforation are the
most common known adverse reactions found associated with excessive consumption
of NSAIDs. The homoeopathic system of medicine improves the general well being,
that is, Quality of Life (QoL) in addition to reducing the pain and disability. Objective:
To evaluate the patients with RA receiving homoeopathic medicines with respect to
QoL, Disease Activity Score (DAS), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), morning
stiffness/pain and frequency of analgesics after homoeopathic intervention. Design:
This is a retrospective analysis of the role of homoeopathic medicines in RA. Patients
diagnosed as sero‑positive for RA antigen receiving homeopathic medicines were
analysed for DAS, QoL, frequency of analgesics, ESR and pain/morning stiffness.
Materials and Methods: Ten cases testing sero‑positive for RA with at least four
clinical signs were evaluated from single homoeopathic Out‑Patient Department
(OPD) from February 2009 and February 2011. Cases were analysed to find out
the role of homoeopathic constitutional similimum in people with RA. Changes in
DAS, ESR, pain/morning stiffness and QoL were considered as outcome measure.
Results: Homoeopathic constitutional medicines were found to reduce the intensity of
pain in patients with RA (t = 4.3733, P < 0.01) along with reduction in consumption of
NSAIDs (t = 2.4, P < 0.05). The DAS reduced in all 10 patients (t = 2.67, P < 0.01). The
QoL was also found to improve under homoeopathic medication (t = 4.044, P < 0.01)
and no further deterioration joint/disability was observed in any of the 10 patients. Mean
ESR improved to 19.5 from 38.1 (t = 2.235, P < 0.05). Out of 10, 3 (30%) patients were found to be sero‑negative after homoeopathic constitutional similimum. Conclusion:
Homoeopathic constitutional similimum improves the QoL of patients with RA by
reducing intensity of pain, limiting disability and reducing disease activity, thus causing
improvement in general and disease condition in particular. It also limits the need of
analgesics and DMARDs in RA.
