Dr. Arati / Dr. U.R. Pachegaonkar

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

I. The Keloid Research Project

The Keloid Research Project was initiated to study the scope for treatment of keloids in Homoeopathy compared to Allopathy. Keloid is the clinical term for scars that progressively increase in size and invade the skin surrounding the healing wound, producing bulky tumourous tissue. Under this study, 307 cases have been studied.

Salient Features

• The project was carried out under the auspices of the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Department, India

• Interdisciplinary collaboration of two systems Homoeopathy and Allopathy

• Collaboration of two institutions SAIIIHR and Department of Plastic Surgery, Jawaharlal Nehru Postgraduate Institute for Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry

• Duration of project: three years

Aims of the Project

To collect maximum information on keloids in homoeopathy to treat keloids using homoeopathic principles Carry out a comparative study of Homoeopathy vs. Allopathy in the treatment of keloids.

Need for the Project

• There has been no comparative study on this condition till now

• Failure of conventional therapy

• A condition that occurs more often in dark-skinned people and hence is common in south India

• Despite many advances in modern medicine, there is no single effective measure to treat keloids. Surgery was the initial modality but frequently resulted in recurrences. Irradiation alone or combined with surgery was popular until their mutagenic and carcinogenic properties decreased their usefulness. Steroids lead to harmful side-effects and recurrences. The efficacy of ultrasound and laser therapy is doubtful and pressure therapy cannot be applied everywhere. In patients with multiple and large keloids involving extensive areas, even symptomatic relief was not possible.

Why Homoeopathy?

• A pilot study, conducted at SAIIIHR by Dr. Vandana showed promising results

• Homoeopathy is the only therapeutic method that can offer a rapid, gentle and permanent treatment

• Since treatment is based on totality, other illnesses are also treated along with keloids like high blood pressure, etc.

Results from Homoeopathic Treatment

• Complete (90%) or partial regression in size and surface area

• Symptomatic relief in pain, itching, etc.

• Disappearance of related complications such as secondary infections

• Progress and recurrences of keloids checked

II. Obesity Project

Scope for treatment of obesity in Homoeopathy

Its significance

Obesity poses a major risk for serious diet-related, non-communicable diseases, including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke and certain forms of cancer. Its health consequences range from increased risk of premature death to serious chronic conditions that reduce the overall quality of life. Modern lifestyle associated with easy access to food, lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyles, calories, dense foods, and excessive television viewing are among the identified contributors to this obesity epidemic. Homoeopathy has the potential to effectively trigger the reversal of obesity disorder.

Objective

The main objective of this longitudinal clinical study is to evaluate the scope for treatment of obesity in homoeopathy and to find out whether homoeopathy has a distinct advantage over conventional treatments. Further, it is aimed at demonstrating the clinical application of the homoeopathic therapy on a larger scale.

Study Design

401 obese patients having a B.M.I (Body Mass Index) of 30 and above were studied. The target weight loss to label the case cured was either 10% or bringing down B.M.I by 4. The study was done for a period of three years where each patient was treated for at least a year. The subjects under study were given constitutionally indicated homoeopathic remedies. This study was completed in three years (2003 to 2006). The results were encouraging.

III. Cataract Project: ongoing clinical research project

Scope for treatment of cataract in Homoeopathy

Its significance

Cataracts are the commonest cause of impaired vision in the world. It is equally prevalent in males and females. Over 50% of the population above 60 years develops cataract in either one or both eyes. Cataract is also not uncommon in the paediatric age group as well as young people. Some known causes of cataracts are ageing, diabetes, heavy metal poisoning, exposure to radiation, injury to the eye and the use of certain drugs such as steroids. It is also found to run in families. In diabetes mellitus, the cataract occurs 20 to 30 years earlier than that in a non-diabetic. Cataracts can lead to blindness if not treated or removed. Surgery is the most common treatment for removing cataracts.

Homoeopathic treatment of cataract

A constitutional approach is necessary to treat cataracts as it is the sequelae of complex processes in the whole body and not only the local tissue. A total reversal of cataracts are expected in some cases only. It can be achieved in patients with a high susceptibility and sensitivity to homoeopathic medicines. Homoeopathy could have a good scope in containing the progress of the cataract pathology.

Aim and objectives

1. To study the efficacy of the homoeopathic therapy in the treatment of cataract.

2. Comparative assessment of results of treatment of cataract and its associated complaints by constitutional homoeopathic treatment.

Study design

270 cases of cataract will be included in the proposed clinical study. Patients having nuclear cataract of immature grade (incipient cataract) will be registered for the clinical study. These subjects under the clinical study will be identified and registered by the Homoeopathic clinic & Research Centre, Sri Aurobindo Society and will be referred for confirming the diagnosis of incipient nuclear cataract to the Arvind Eye Hospital, Puducherry. Randomisation will be done by an independent observer through the Sequentially Numbered Opaque Sealed Envelope method (SNOSE). There will be block randomisation. Two groups: (135 subjects each)

Group II : control group under placebo.

The end-point would be a period of two years of treatment or a complete reversal of the cataract or irregular follow-up of the protocol or the maturing of the cataract warranting surgical removal.

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