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Comparing homoeopathic with conventional treatment in children with eczema
S20 fever. The first positive effects of Citrus/Cydonia comp. In two outcome studies have been published. Recent in vitro research into the immunostimulation of blood of healthy and hay fever donors demonstrated that Citrus/Cydonia comp. (in vitro) induces an immunoregulatory effect in which the normal balance within the immune system was restored, demonstrating its curative health-promoting effect. In two conceptual studies, scientific facts and anthroposophic concepts on allergic rhinitis and its treatment could be integrated. In this presentation, an overview of the state of the art of conceptualization of a system biological approach in the understanding and treatment of allergic rhinitis, the professional experiences with and the empirical effects of anthroposophic treatment, and the planned outcome studies in this field will be presented. 10.1016/j.eujim.2008.08.035
Effectiveness of acupuncture in patients with allergic rhinitis—Results of a pragmatic randomised trial B. Brinkhausa, C.M. Witta, S. Jenaa, B. Liekerb, S.N. Willicha a
Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charite´ University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany b Techniker Krankenkasse, Hamburg, Germany Objective: Acupuncture is widely used in patients suffering from allergic rhinitis, but the available evidence is insufficient. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in addition to routine care in patients with allergic rhinitis compared to treatment with routine care alone. Methods: In a randomised controlled study with an additional cohort, patients with AR were randomly allocated to a group receiving up to 15 acupuncture sessions over 3 months (ACU) or to a control group (CON) receiving no acupuncture. Patients not consenting to randomisation received acupuncture treatment (NR-ACU). Additionally, patients were allowed to receive usual medical care. In standardised questionnaires rhinitis-specific quality of life (RQLQ) and health-related general quality of life (SF-36) were assessed at baseline and after 3 months. Results: A total of 5237 patients (39712 years, 62% female; ACU: 487, CON: 494, NR-ACU: 4.256) were included in the study; 981 patients were randomised. At 3 months, the improvement of RQLQ was more pronounced in the ACU than in the CON (RQLQ: from 3.171.1 to 1.571.2; and from 3.171.1 to 2.671.5, po0.001). Similarly, the SF-36 improved more in the ACU compared to the CON (mental component scale: from 41.678.3 to 44.077.8; and from 42.278.1 to 41.978.5, po0.001; physical component scale 49.078.9 to 51.977.3; and from 49.478.5 to 48.578.8, po0.001). After receiving acupuncture, the NR-ACU showed similar results as the ACU.
Oral presentations Conclusions: Results of this trial suggest that treating patients suffering from allergic rhinitis with adjunctive acupuncture therapy leads to clinically relevant benefits. 10.1016/j.eujim.2008.08.036
Comparing homoeopathic with conventional treatment in children with eczema T. Keila, C.M. Witta, S. Rolla, W. Vanceb, K. Weberc, K. Wegscheiderd, S.N. Willicha a
Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charite´ University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany b Clinic for Neurological Rehabilitation, BeelitzHeilsta ¨tten, Germany c German Rheumatism Research Centre, Berlin, Germany d Department of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Hamburg, Germany Objectives: To examine the influence of homoeopathic versus conventional treatment, over a period of 1 year, in children with eczema. Methods: In this prospective multi-centre cohort study, children with eczema aged 1–16 years were recruited from primary care practices in Germany. They received either conventional or homoeopathic treatment. Outcome measures were self/parents assessed eczema symptoms by numerical rating scales (0 ¼ none; 10 ¼ worst symptoms) as well as quality of life at 0, 6 and 12 months. Results: We included a total of 118 children: 54 from homoeopathic (mean age7S.D. was 5.173.3 years; 56% boys) and 64 from conventional practices (6.273.8 years; 61% boys). Eczema symptoms improved from 0 to 12 months for both treatment options. There was no significant difference between the homoeopathic group (3.5–2.5, for 0–12 months) versus the conventional treatment group (3.4–2.1), after adjustment for potential confounders (p ¼ 0.447). Furthermore, disease-related quality of life improved in both groups similarly. In the subgroup of children aged 8–16 years, general quality of life was significantly better for children with conventional compared to those with homoeopathic treatment (p ¼ 0.030). Conclusions: This observational study is the first long-term prospective investigation to compare homoeopathic and conventional treatment of eczema in children. Over a period of 1 year, both therapy groups improved similarly regarding patient-oriented outcomes. To resolve current uncertainties surrounding both homoeopathic and conventional treatment for children with eczema, further studies are needed including assessments by raters, who are blinded to treatment. A randomized trial could be designed in a way where both groups of patients—i.e. those seeking conventional and those seeking homoeopathic care—are randomized to either verum or placebo treatment within their preferred type of care. 10.1016/j.eujim.2008.08.037
Effectiveness of acupuncture in patients with allergic rhinitis—Results of a pragmatic randomised trial B. Brinkhausa, C.M. Witta, S. Jenaa, B. Liekerb, S.N. Willicha a
Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charite´ University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany b Techniker Krankenkasse, Hamburg, Germany Objective: Acupuncture is widely used in patients suffering from allergic rhinitis, but the available evidence is insufficient. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in addition to routine care in patients with allergic rhinitis compared to treatment with routine care alone. Methods: In a randomised controlled study with an additional cohort, patients with AR were randomly allocated to a group receiving up to 15 acupuncture sessions over 3 months (ACU) or to a control group (CON) receiving no acupuncture. Patients not consenting to randomisation received acupuncture treatment (NR-ACU). Additionally, patients were allowed to receive usual medical care. In standardised questionnaires rhinitis-specific quality of life (RQLQ) and health-related general quality of life (SF-36) were assessed at baseline and after 3 months. Results: A total of 5237 patients (39712 years, 62% female; ACU: 487, CON: 494, NR-ACU: 4.256) were included in the study; 981 patients were randomised. At 3 months, the improvement of RQLQ was more pronounced in the ACU than in the CON (RQLQ: from 3.171.1 to 1.571.2; and from 3.171.1 to 2.671.5, po0.001). Similarly, the SF-36 improved more in the ACU compared to the CON (mental component scale: from 41.678.3 to 44.077.8; and from 42.278.1 to 41.978.5, po0.001; physical component scale 49.078.9 to 51.977.3; and from 49.478.5 to 48.578.8, po0.001). After receiving acupuncture, the NR-ACU showed similar results as the ACU.
Oral presentations Conclusions: Results of this trial suggest that treating patients suffering from allergic rhinitis with adjunctive acupuncture therapy leads to clinically relevant benefits. 10.1016/j.eujim.2008.08.036
Comparing homoeopathic with conventional treatment in children with eczema T. Keila, C.M. Witta, S. Rolla, W. Vanceb, K. Weberc, K. Wegscheiderd, S.N. Willicha a
Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charite´ University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany b Clinic for Neurological Rehabilitation, BeelitzHeilsta ¨tten, Germany c German Rheumatism Research Centre, Berlin, Germany d Department of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Hamburg, Germany Objectives: To examine the influence of homoeopathic versus conventional treatment, over a period of 1 year, in children with eczema. Methods: In this prospective multi-centre cohort study, children with eczema aged 1–16 years were recruited from primary care practices in Germany. They received either conventional or homoeopathic treatment. Outcome measures were self/parents assessed eczema symptoms by numerical rating scales (0 ¼ none; 10 ¼ worst symptoms) as well as quality of life at 0, 6 and 12 months. Results: We included a total of 118 children: 54 from homoeopathic (mean age7S.D. was 5.173.3 years; 56% boys) and 64 from conventional practices (6.273.8 years; 61% boys). Eczema symptoms improved from 0 to 12 months for both treatment options. There was no significant difference between the homoeopathic group (3.5–2.5, for 0–12 months) versus the conventional treatment group (3.4–2.1), after adjustment for potential confounders (p ¼ 0.447). Furthermore, disease-related quality of life improved in both groups similarly. In the subgroup of children aged 8–16 years, general quality of life was significantly better for children with conventional compared to those with homoeopathic treatment (p ¼ 0.030). Conclusions: This observational study is the first long-term prospective investigation to compare homoeopathic and conventional treatment of eczema in children. Over a period of 1 year, both therapy groups improved similarly regarding patient-oriented outcomes. To resolve current uncertainties surrounding both homoeopathic and conventional treatment for children with eczema, further studies are needed including assessments by raters, who are blinded to treatment. A randomized trial could be designed in a way where both groups of patients—i.e. those seeking conventional and those seeking homoeopathic care—are randomized to either verum or placebo treatment within their preferred type of care. 10.1016/j.eujim.2008.08.037