Homeopathic Treatment of Psoriasis: A Case Series

Background and Aims: Psoriasis is a chronic disease frequently treated in homeopathic practice. However, there is only one prospective uncontrolled multi-centric study published, with 2 years of follow-up. The aim of this paper is to evaluate retrospectively the treatment results of patients with psoriasis in the Department of Homeopathy of Universidad Maimonides.

Methods: The totality of cases of psoriasis who attended the Homeopathic clinic was searched. Forms were created and examined with EpiInfo software. Evaluated outcomes: type of psoriasis, severity, presence of arthritic psoriasis, prescription criteria, homeopathic remedy used, skin outcome, presence of aggravation, outcome of psoriatic arthritis, safety of the treatment. Follow-up was evaluated for 1 year. Patients without at least 1 follow-up visit were excluded from analysis.

Results: A total of 94 patients presented a clinical record of psoriasis: 49 returned once for follow-up and 18 had follow-up visits up to and including one year. Plaque psoriasis was 86% and guttate psoriasis represented 14%. Psoriatic arthritis was present in 15% of the cases. The predominant criteria for prescription was the totality of symptoms and the most frequently prescribed potency the 6 cH. A small or large improvement in psoriasis was observed in 57% of the patients at the second consultation and in 64.7% of the patients after 1 year of treatment. The most frequently used remedies were Sulphur, Lycopodium, Pulsatilla and Arsenicum album, but the variation was high. Four of 6 patients with arthritis reported to be better at the second consultation, but only 2 of 6 after one year of treatment. No serious adverse events were observed.

Conclusions: Homeopathic treatment of psoriasis, including psoriatic arthritis, appears to be safe and to have some positive outcome. Prospective controlled trials should aim to verify these results.

Keywords: Homeopathy, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis