Homoeopathic versus Conventional Therapy for Atopic Eczema in Children: Medical and Economic Results. Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) [Dermatology] Journal article

Title	Homoeopathic versus Conventional Therapy for Atopic Eczema in Children: Medical and Economic Results.
Author(s)	Witt CM, Brinkhaus B, Pach D, Reinhold T, Wruck K, Roll S, Jäckel T, Staab D, Wegscheider K, Willich SN
Institution	Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Centre Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Source	Dermatology 2009 Oct 13.
Abstract	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 +/- 3.02 [mean +/- SE] vs. conventional 18.20 +/- 2.31, p = 0.290) and 12 months (17.41 +/- 3.01 vs. 17.29 +/- 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.
Language	ENG
Pub Type(s)	JOURNAL ARTICLE
PubMed ID	19828937

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