Similia Vol 29 No 1 – June 2017

Author: Dr Parth Aphale

Abstract

Background

Conventional management of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) includes administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying  anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), like Methotrexate, and anti-tumour necrosis factor α monoclonal antibody (anti-TNFά). Gastric ulcers, bleeding and  perforation are the most common known adverse reactions found associated with excessive consumption of NSAIDs. The homeopathic system of  medicine improves general wellbeing, that is, Quality of Life (QoL) in addition to reducing pain and disability.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of Rhus toxicodendron in the management of cases of RA with respect to QoL, morning stiffness/pain and frequency of  analgesics after homeopathic intervention.

Design

This is a retrospective analysis of the role of Rhus toxicodendron in RA. Patients diagnosed as sero-positive for RA antigen were analysed for QoL,  frequency of analgesics, and pain/morning stiffness.

Materials and methods

Ten cases testing sero-positive for RA with at least four clinical signs were evaluated from the author’s Out-Patient Department (OPD). Cases were  analysed to find out the role of Rhus toxicodendron in cases of RA. Changes in pain/ morning stiffness and QoL were considered as outcome  measures.

Results

Rhus toxicodendron was found to reduce the intensity of pain in patients with RA along with reduction in the consumption of NSAIDs. The QoL was  also found to improve under homeopathic medication and no further deterioration joint/disability was observed in any of the 10 patients.

Conclusion

Rhus toxicodendron improves the QoL of patients with RA by reducing the intensity of pain and limiting disability and reducing disease activity, thus  causing improvement in general and in the disease condition in particular. It also limits the need for analgesics and DMARDs in RA.

Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, NSAIDs, quality of life, morning stiffness.