Abstract

EFFECTIVENESS OF HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINES IN CASES OF ACNE VULGARIS IN ADOLESCENCE – A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Dr. Shrimohan Sharma and Dr. Rajni Devi*

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is a disorder in which hair follicles develop obstructing horny plugs (comedones), as a result of which inflammation later develops around the obstructed follicles, causing tissue destruction and scar formation. Acne is estimated to affect 9.4% of the global population, making it the eighth most prevalent disease worldwide. The most common type of acne is the Acne vulgaris that develops during the teenage years. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that acne is most common in adolescence, with boys most frequently affected, particularly with more severe forms of the disease. Patients with acne have social, psychological, and emotional impairment. These patients are more prone to embarrassment, social withdrawal, depression, anxiety and anger. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of Homoeopathic medicines as compared to Placebo in cases of Acne vulgaris in both groups by using Global Acne Grading System scale for acne as assessment criteria. Study Design: Randomized single blind, placebo controlled Study. Methods: 60 cases of Acne vulgaris were randomly allocated to the two treatment groups. In Group A (n = 30 cases) individualized Homoeopathic medicines selected on the basis of the totality of symptoms were prescribed and in Group B (n = 30 cases) placebo was prescribed. Potency selection, dosage and repetition of medicines were done according to the Hahnemannian guidelines in 5th edition of Organon of Medicine. Assessment and reassessment was done by Global Acne Grading System scale. Results: Observations and results shown that Acne vulgaris is more common in the age group of 18-20 years i.e. 37 cases (61.66%), more commonly affects males 37 cases (61.66%) in comparison to females i.e. 23 cases (38.33) and is reported more commonly in middle socioeconomic status. Maximum numbers of, 34 cases (56.67%) were from urban area. Papulopustular eruptions were the commonest type of acne found i.e. in 16 cases (26.66%) followed by comedo-papular eruptions in 10 cases (16.66%), comedo-pustular and comedo-papulopustular in 9 cases (15%) each, only papules in 7 cases (11.66%), only pustules and only comedones in 3 cases (5%) each, comedo-cystic, pustule-cystic, papulopustular-cystic in 1 case (1.66%) each. Maximum patients had moderate form of acne i.e. 28 cases (46.67%), 19 cases (31.67%) had mild form of acne, 11 cases (18.33%) had severe form of acne and 2 cases (3.33%) had very severe form of acne on the basis of Global Acne Grading System scale. Psora was found as the predominant miasm in maximum number of cases i.e 56 cases (93.33%) In group A cases treated with Individualized Homoeopathic medicines 03 cases (10%) were markedly improved, 13 cases (43.33%) were moderately improved, 10 cases (30%) were mildly improved, 3 cases (10%) were improved but not significantly, while 03 cases (10%) remained status quo, so overall 27 out of 30 patients in medicine group were improved in the course of treatment. Paired t – test shows that Individualized Homoeopathic medicines are significantly effective in the cases of Acne vulgaris. Medicines prescribed in maximum number of cases were Natrum muriaticum, Calcarea sulphurica and Sulphur. Whereas in group B maximum no. of cases i.e. 14 cases (46.66%), in placebo group remained status quo, 6 cases (20%) were mildly improved, 05 cases (16%) got worse, 4 cases (13.33%) were improved but not significantly, 1 case (3.33%) was moderately improved. Comparison of both groups by independent t - test shows that both groups, group A (n = 30) and group B (n = 30) have significant difference in results. Hence, it can be concluded that indivizualised Homoeopathic medicines are more effective as compared to placebo in cases of Acne vulgaris.

Keywords: Acne vulgaris, Homoeopathy, Controlled trial.