Abstract
Pruritus is a frequent and difficult to treat problem in haemodialysis. This double-blind
placebo-controlled randomised clinical trial assessed the role of homeopathic treatment
in this situation. The code was held by the pharmacist who dispensed the medications.
Pruritus was evaluated using a previously published scale. Only patients with initial
values above 25% of maximum pruritus score were entered. Data were analysed after
partial code break, separating the two groups of patients, but with no awareness of
which one received verum or placebo. Patients were classified as responders if they
had >50% reduction of pruritus score.
Twenty-eight patients (16M/12F, 51±11 years of age) were entered and 20 (12M/8F, 52±8
years of age) remained for final analysis: 11 in the verum group, 9 in placebo. At
entry, the mean pruritus score was 65±25% for the treated patients and 70±27% for
placebo. After 15, 30, 45, and 60 days of follow-up, pruritis score were respectively:
46±29, 41±30, 42±29, and 38±33 for the treated patients and 61±29, 67±31, 64±35, and
57±39 for placebo. Reduction was statistically significant (P<0.05) at every point of observation. According to the patients’ own assessment, at
the end of the study period, the homeopathic treatment reduced the pruritus score
by ∼49%. Responders were more frequent in the treated group with statistical significance
at 30 days (0% vs 45%, P=0.038).
Homeopathic treatment may represent a worthwhile alternative to relieve pruritus in
patients undergoing haemodialysis.
Keywords
uraemia - haemodialysis - uraemic pruritus - homeopathy - efficacy
