Homeopathy in the public health system: a seven-year observational study at Lucca Hospital (Italy).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the response to homeopathic treatment in a public homeopathic clinic of all patients attending between September 1998 until December 2005, and to analyze homeopathic practice.


METHODS
Longitudinal observational study in a homeopathic clinic based in a public hospital in Lucca, Italy. Data relating to patient details, clinical diagnosis, remedy prescribed, potency of dosage, prescription strategy and identification of the case as acute-chronic-recurrent were analyzed. Clinical response was assessed by the Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital Outcome Score.


RESULTS
Overall 74% of patients reported at least moderate improvement. Outcomes were better with longer treatment duration and younger age of patients. Respiratory, followed by dermatological and gastrointestinal pathologies responded best, psychological problems relatively poorly.


CONCLUSIONS
Homeopathic therapy is associated with improvement in a range of chronic and recurring pathologies. Certain characteristics of patient and pathology influence the outcome.
Rossi
Elio
E
Homeopathic Clinic, ASL 2 Lucca, Tuscany Regional Homeopathic Reference Centre, Italy. omeopatia@usl2.toscana.it
Endrizzi
Cristina
C
Panozzo
Maria Alessandra
MA
Bianchi
Alba
A
Da Frè
Monica
M
D000208:Acute Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006705:Homeopathy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008419:Materia Medica / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D008419:Materia Medica