A pragmatic, open-label study to evaluate the response of homoeopathic treatment in vitiligo

Abstract

Background: Homoeopathy is commonly used by patients suffering from vitiligo. The treatment response needs to be assessed on standardised scales in pragmatic settings. Objective: The study aimed to evaluate response to homoeopathic treatment in vitiligo severity and quality of life using the vitiligo area scoring index (VASI) score, Vitiligo European Task Force (VETF) score and dermatological life quality index (DLQI) score. Materials and Methods: This study was undertaken in dermatology outpatient departments at 11 research institutes of the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy. Participants, in the age group 18–60 years, any gender, presenting with at least one vitiligo skin patch above the size of 2 cm × 2 cm were included and invited to participate in the study and were regularly followed up over a period of one year. Participants completing one-year follow-up were included in a long-term assessment for another two years. Results: A total of 361 participants were enrolled, 266 completed one-year treatment; 139 continued treatment for additional twelve months, and 62 participants completed three years. Change in VASI and VETF area scores was not significant over one year. Post hoc test identified change in score for the VETF stage as significant at 6 months (p = 0.013), 9 months (p = 0.000), and 12 months (p = 0.000) from baseline. The spread score reduced significantly from baseline (p = 0.000), as also the change in mean scores of DLQI (p = 0.000), patient (p = 0.000) and physician global assessments (p = 0.000). Conclusion: The extent of depigmentation in vitiligo (staging) and spread decreased significantly along with improvement in quality of life with regular homoeopathic treatment.