Treatment of hemorrhoids with individualized homeopathy: An open observational pilot study

Aim: Controversies and disagreement exist on conventional treatment strategies of hemorrhoids due to relapse, inefficacy, and complications. We intend to evaluate the role of individualized homeopathic treatment in hemorrhoids. Materials and Methods: In this prospective, open, observational trial, hemorrhoids patients were treated using five standardized scales measuring complaints severity and anoscopic score. It was conducted at two homeopathic hospitals in India, during from mid-July 2014 to mid-July 2015. Patients were intervened as per individualized homeopathic principles and followed up every month up to 6 months. Results: Total 73 were screened, 52 enrolled, 38 completed, 14 dropped out. Intention to treat population (n = 52) was analyzed in the end. Statistically significant reductions of mean bleeding (month 3: -21.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -30.3, -13.3, P < 0.00001, d = 0.787; month 6: -25.5, 95% CI -35.4, -15.6, P < 0.00001, d = 0.775), pain (month 3: -21.3, 95% CI -28.6, -14.0, P < 0.00001, d = 0.851; month 6: -27.6, 95% CI -35.6, -19.6, P < 0.00001, d = 1.003), heaviness visual analog scales (VASs) (month 3: -8.1, 95% CI -13.9, -2.3, P = 0.008, d = 0.609; month 6: -12.1, 95% CI -19.1, -5.1, P = 0.001, d = 0.693), and anoscopic score (month 3: -0.4, 95% CI -0.6, -0.2, P < 0.0001, d = 0.760; month 6: -0.5, 95% CI -0.7, -0.3, P < 0.0001, d = 0.703) were achieved. Itching VASs reduced significantly only after 6 months (-8.1, 95% CI -14.6, -1.6, P = 0.017, d = 0.586). No significant lowering of discharge VASs was achieved after 3 and 6 months. Conclusion: Under classical homeopathic treatment, hemorrhoids patients improved considerably in symptoms severity and anoscopic scores. However, being observational trial, our study cannot provide efficacy data. Controlled studies are required. Trial Reg. CTRI/2015/07/005958.