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Homoeopathic versus conventional therapy for atopic eczema in children: medical and economic results.
J Transl Med. 2008 Sep 12;6:50. PMID: 19828937
Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Centre, DE-10098 Berlin, Germany. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
BACKGROUND: One of five children visiting a homoeopathic physician is suffering from atopic eczema.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness, safety and costs of homoeopathic versus conventional treatment in usual care.
METHODS: In a prospective multicentre comparative observational non-randomised study, 135 children (homoeopathy n = 48 vs. conventional n = 87) with mild to moderate atopic eczema were included. The primary outcome was the SCORAD (Scoring Atopic Dermatitis) at 6 months. Further outcomes at 6 and 12 months also included quality of life of parents and children, use of conventional medicine, treatment safety and disease-related costs.
RESULTS: The adjusted SCORAD showed no significant differences between the groups at both 6 months (homoeopathy 22.49 + or - 3.02 [mean + or - SE] vs. conventional 18.20 + or - 2.31, p = 0.290) and 12 months (17.41 + or - 3.01 vs. 17.29 + or - 2.31, p = 0.974). Adjusted costs were higher in the homoeopathic than in the conventional group: for the first 6 months EUR 935.02 vs. EUR 514.44, p = 0.026, and for 12 months EUR 1,524.23 vs. EUR 721.21, p = 0.001. Quality of life was not significantly different between both groups. Conclusion: Taking patient preferences into account, homoeopathic treatment was not superior to conventional treatment for children with mild to moderate atopic eczema.
