Research: LUDTKE and WIESENAUER

Listed in Issue 30

Abstract

LUDTKE and WIESENAUER, Institut fur Medizinische Informations-verarbeitung, Tubingen, Deutschland.rainer.luedtke @uni-tuebingen.de compared the efficacy of homoeopathically prepared Galphimia glauca with that of placebo in the treatment of pollinosis and estimated the overall success rate of Galphimia glauca in a meta-analysis of clinical trials.

Background

Methodology

The authors analysed 7 randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trials and 4 non placebo-controlled trials (1 randomised and controlled, 1 prospective uncontrolled, 2 retrospective uncontrolled) conducted by their study group between 1980 and 1989. A further Medline search revealed no other trials on this topic. A total of 1038 ambulatory patients, suffering from acute pollinosis (752 in placebo-controlled trials) were entered into the analysis. The main outcome measures included the relative frequency and relative risk for showing noticeable and soothing relief in eye symptoms as assessed by the patient. The overall rate of improved eye-symptoms was about 1.25 times higher in the treatment compared to the placebo group. The success rate of the treatment was estimated as being 79.3%. Across single studies results were highly comparable except for the 1985 study.

Results

Conclusion

There was a significant superiority of Galphimia glauca compared to placebo, with success rates comparable with those of conventional antihistaminics, with no side effects.

References

Ludtke R and Wiesenauer M. A meta-analysis of homeopathic treatment of pollinosis with Galphimia glauca. Wien Med Wochenschr 147(14): 323-7. 1997.

Comment

Despite a considerable literature now accumulating regarding the effective treatment of allergies such as hayfever using homoeopathy, there is still considerable skepticism within the conventional, as well as the unconventional healthcare communities. However, if homoeopathic treatment is superior to drugs such as antihistamines which have undesirable side effects, then surely physicians ought to sit up and take notice. The public certainly are voting for homoeopathy, with over-the-counter homoeopathic remedies now being sold in most chemists.

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