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Homoeopathic versus conventional treatment of children with eczema: a comparative cohort study
1Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center Berlin, D-10098 Berlin, Germany. thomas.keil@charite.de
Insights
Homoeopathic and conventional treatments for childhood eczema showed similar improvements in symptoms and quality of life over 12 months. No significant differences were observed between the two approaches in this prospective study.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Eczema is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition in children.
- Treatment options for childhood eczema include conventional and alternative therapies.
- Long-term comparative data on homoeopathic versus conventional eczema treatment is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of homoeopathic treatment versus conventional treatment for childhood eczema over 12 months.
- To assess the impact of both treatments on eczema signs/symptoms and quality of life (QoL).
Main Methods:
- Prospective, multi-centre cohort study involving children aged 1-16 years with eczema.
- Comparison of homoeopathic treatment versus conventional treatment.
- Assessment of eczema symptoms and QoL using numerical rating scales and validated questionnaires (ALF, KINDL, KITA) at baseline, 6, and 12 months.
Main Results:
- 118 children (54 homoeopathic, 64 conventional) were included.
- Both treatment groups showed similar improvements in eczema symptoms and disease-related quality of life over 12 months.
- A subgroup analysis indicated a trend towards better general quality of life with conventional treatment in children aged 8-16 years.
Conclusions:
- Homoeopathic and conventional treatments for childhood eczema yielded comparable outcomes in symptom perception and disease-related quality of life over a 12-month period.
- This study provides the first long-term prospective data comparing these two treatment modalities for pediatric eczema.
- Further research may explore specific subgroups or long-term general quality of life impacts.
Objectives:
To assess, over a period of 12 months, whether homoeopathic treatment could influence eczema signs/symptoms and quality of life (QoL) compared with conventional treatment.
Design:
Prospective multi-centre cohort study.
Setting:
Children with eczema aged 1-16 years were recruited from primary care practices.
Interventions:
Conventional versus homoeopathic treatment.
Outcome Measures:
Patients (or parents) assessed eczema symptoms by numerical rating scales as well as disease-specific Atopie Lebensqualitaets-Fragebogen (ALF) and general quality of life (KINDL, KITA) at 0, 6 and 12 months.
Results:
A total of 118 children were included: 54 from homoeopathic (mean age+/-S.D. was 5.1+/-3.3 years; 56% boys) and 64 from conventional practices (6.2+/-3.8 years; 61% boys). Eczema symptoms (assessed by patients or their parents) improved from 0 to 12 months for both treatment options, but did not differ between the two groups: 3.5-2.5 versus 3.4-2.1; p=0.447 (adjusted). Disease-related quality of life improved in both groups similarly. In the subgroup of children aged 8-16 years the general quality of life showed a better trend for conventional treatment compared with homoeopathic treatment (p=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 12 months, both therapy groups improved similarly regarding perception of eczema symptoms (assessed by patients or parents) and disease-related quality of life.
