Homoeopathic versus conventional treatment of children with eczema: a comparative cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
Prospective multi-centre cohort study.


METHODS
Children with eczema aged 1-16 years were recruited from primary care practices.


METHODS
Conventional versus homoeopathic treatment.


METHODS
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.
Keil
T
T
Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center Berlin, D-10098 Berlin, Germany. thomas.keil@charite.de
Witt
C M
CM
Roll
S
S
Vance
W
W
Weber
K
K
Wegscheider
K
K
Willich
S N
SN
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004485:Eczema / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006705:Homeopathy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index