Homeopathic Treatments of Upper Respiratory and Otorhinolaryngologic Infections: A Review of Randomized and Observational Studies

Abstract

Introduction: Homeopathy is a therapeutic natural medical alterna- tive that is widely and increasingly being used, even for pediatric pa- tients. Given this trend, it is essential that clinicians have the resourc- es to advise their patients as to the potential benefits and harms of this complementary therapy. The aim of this work is to describe the available literature cited in PubMed concerning the homeopathic treatments on human subjects (both children and adult) for common Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI), otitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, rhinosinusitis, pharyngitis and tonsillitis. Methods: The PubMed search made use of the keywords “home- opathy” or “homeopathic”, and the names of the indicated diseases. The report covers all forms of homeopathic therapy, namely: a) clas- sical individualized homeopathy, b) ailment-specific medicines and complexes. In order to take into account the whole mass of literature, the evidence of the clinical effectiveness is summarized according to semi-quantitative criteria, based on the number of randomized and non-randomized papers published in each group of ailments. The medicines used in the various studies are classified and described. Results: A total of 40 clinical studies, published until the ends of 2018, which assess the effectiveness of the homeopathic treatment in one of the abovementioned conditions are reported and classi- fied. The studies are randomized or equivalence studies with control group (n=21), non randomized or observational (n=19) and concern different clinical approaches, namely individualized using high ho- meopathic dilutions or non-individualized using complex drug formulations. Studies have revealed mixed results, suggesting that some homeopathic formulations may have significant effects in URTI and otorhinolaryngological infections. Several studies have demonstrat- ed benefits to patients’ quality of life and symptom scoring, or equiv- alence with the conventional medical approach. Scarcity of data and uncertainty still exists in literature on the effectiveness of individu- alized approach in URTIs. 21 different medicines were used in a minimum of two published reports. Conclusion: Homeopathic formulations in upper respiratory tract and otorhinolaryngological infections are likely effective and the in- dividualized approach in non severe otitis is possibly effective. Ho- meopathic treatments may help when use of antibiotics is not indi- cated. Due to the heterogeneity of approaches and of drugs used, additional studies will be required to evaluate the possible integra- tion of homeopathy into the standard of care for the treatment of respiratory and otorhinolaryngologic ailments.