Positive Health Online

Abstract

VAN HASELEN and FISHER, The Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3HR, UK compared the efficacy and safety of a homeopathic gel with those of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) gel (piroxicam) in treating osteoarthritis of the knee.

Background

Methodology

This randomized, double-blind, controlled trial included 184 out-patients with radiographically confirmed symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee . Patients were treated with 1 g of gel (either homeopathic or NSAID) three times daily for 4 weeks. Pain on walking was assessed on a visual analog scale (VAS). A further measure used was a single-joint Ritchie index.

Results

The pain score on the VAS was reduced by 16.5 mm in the homeopathic gel-treated group and by 8.4 mm in the NSAID-treated group; after adjustment for pain at baseline (before treatment), the difference in VAS scores between the two treatment groups was 6.8 mm (95% confidence interval –0.3 to 13.8). There was no significant difference in the single-joint Ritchie index between the two groups. Adverse events (side effects) occurred in 12 patients in the homeopathy group and 16 patients in the NSAID group; 5 patients in the homeopathy group and 9 in the NSAID group withdrew from the trial. In the homeopathy group, 7 of the adverse events involved a local reaction (2 such patients withdrew); in the NSAID group, 11 of the adverse events involved a local reaction (5 such patients withdrew).

Conclusion

The homeopathic gel was at least as effective and as well tolerated as the NSAID (piroxicam) gel. It is possible there was a clinically relevant difference between the two treatment groups . The homeopathic gel, supplemented by simple analgesics if required, may be a useful treatment option for patients with osteoarthritis.

References

Van Haselen RA and Fisher PA. A randomized controlled trial comparing topical piroxicam gel with a homeopathic gel in osteoarthritis of the knee. Rheumatology 39 (7): 714-9. Jul 2000.