title: A prospective multi-centric open clinical trial of homeopathy in diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate homeopathic treatment in the management of diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective multi-centric clinical observational study was carried out from October 2005 to September 2009 by Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH) (India) at its five institutes/units. Patients suffering from diabetes mellitus (DM) and presenting with symptoms of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) were screened, investigated and were enrolled in the study after fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were evaluated by the diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy symptom score (DDSPSS) developed by the Council. A total of 15 homeopathic medicines were identified after repertorizing the nosological symptoms and signs of the disease. The appropriate constitutional medicine was selected and prescribed in 30, 200 and 1 M potency on an individualized basis. Patients were followed up regularly for 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 336 patients (167 males and 169 females) enrolled in the study, 247 patients (123 males and 124 females) were analyzed. All patients who attended at least three follow-up appointments and baseline curve conduction studies were included in the analysis.). A statistically significant improvement in DDSPSS total score (p = 0.0001) was found at 12 months from baseline. Most objective measures did not show significant improvement. Lycopodium clavatum (n = 132), Phosphorus (n = 27) and Sulphur (n = 26) were the medicines most frequently prescribed. Adverse event of hypoglycaemia was observed in one patient only.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests homeopathic medicines may be effective in managing the symptoms of DPN patients. Further studies should be controlled and include the quality of life (QOL) assessment.
authors.affiliation: Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Chaturbhuja
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nayak
authors.forename: Praveen
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Oberai
authors.forename: Roja
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Varanasi
authors.forename: Hafeezullah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Baig
authors.forename: Raveender
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ch
authors.forename: G R C
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: Pratima
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Devi
authors.forename: Bhubaneshwari
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: S
authors.forename: Vikram
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: V P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Hari
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Shashi Shekhar
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Shitanshu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006705:Homeopathy; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008419:Materia Medica / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D008419:Materia Medica