Abstract:
Background: Vitiligo has an immense psychological impact on the affected
individual and a reason for low self‑esteem. Considering the disappointing outcomes,
A multicentric open clinical study was undertaken by the Central Council for Research
in Homoeopathy, at five institutes and units in India from October 2005 to September
2010.
Aims and Objectives: This observational study aimed to see the usefulness of
homoeopathic therapy in the management of vitiligo.
Materials and Methods: 432 patients of all age groups suffering from vitiligo were
enrolled in the study. Out of that, 169 patients completed 2 years of follow‑up and were
considered for analysis. Homoeopathic medicines, based on the totality of symptoms
and repertorization were prescribed. The analysis of the cases was based on the
Vitiligo Symptom Score (VSS) and photographs of the patients. Result was analyzed
using statistical method of SPSS version 20.
Results: The changes in the mean VSS at intervals of every 6 months was found to
be statistically significant. Homoeopathic treatment was found to be useful in relieving
vitiligo in varying degrees in 126 patients, out of which 4 (2.94%) cases showed marked
improvement, 15 (11.03%) cases showed moderate improvement, 77 (56.62%) cases
showed mild improvement, and 30 patients although improved, fell in the category
of not significant improvement group (below 25% improvement). Ten homoeopathic medicines were
found useful in the study of which Sulphur (n = 27), Arsenicum album (n = 19), Phosphorus (n = 19), and Lycopodium clavatum (n = 10) were the most commonly indicated and useful medicines.
