How healthy are chronically ill patients after eight years of homeopathic treatment?

METHODS: In a prospective, multicentre cohort study with 103 homeopathic primary care practices in Germany and Switzerland, data from all patients (age >1 year) consulting the physician for the first time were observed. The main outcome measures were: The patients' perceived change in complaint severity (numeric rating scales from 0= no complaint to 10= maximal severity) and quality of life as measured by the SF-36 at baseline, and after 2 and 8 years.

RESULTS: A total of 3,709 patients were studied, 73% (2,722 adults, 72.8% female, age at baseline 41.0+/-12.3; 819 children, 48.4% female, age 6.5+/-4.0) contributed data to the 8-year follow-up. The most frequent diagnoses were allergic rhinitis and headache in adults, and atopic dermatitis and multiple recurrent infections in children. Disease severity decreased significantly (p<0.001) between baseline, 2 and 8 years (adults from 6.2+/-1.7 to 2.9+/-2.2 and 2.7+/-2.1; children from 6.1+/-1.8 to 2.1+/-2.0 and 1.7+/-1.9). Physical and mental quality of life sores also increased considerably. Younger age, female gender and more severe disease at baseline were factors predictive of better therapeutic success.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients who seek homeopathic treatment are likely to improve considerably. These effects maintain for as long as 8 years.

BMC Public Health. 2008 Dec 17;8(1):413. Witt CM, Ludtke R, Mengler N, Willich SN.