Homeopathic-Spagyric Therapy of Acute and Uncomplicated Rhinosinusitis: An Observational Trial on Symptom Severity in 2 General Practitioner Surgeries

Rhinosinusitis is one of the most frequent reasons to consult a general practitioner (GP) surgery. They often occur as a sequel of a common cold where viruses are known to be the primary cause in more than 90% of the cases [1]. Thus, rhinosinusitis usually heals completely within 3 weeks at most. For treatment, antibiotics should be restricted to severe and complicated courses [2]; nevertheless, in at least 60% of the cases, antibiotics are prescribed. In a Cochrane Review, it was shown that only 5 out of 100 patients treated with antibiotics recovered faster while these patients experienced significantly more adverse events than those receiving placebo [3]. With respect to homeopathy, only studies regarding complex remedies have been published. Two randomized controlled studies (RCTs) on 2 different complex remedies reported a significant reduction in symptoms of acute rhinositis compared to placebo [4, 5]. Such RCTs can answer questions regarding the efficacy of treatments with high internal validity. However, this comes always at the cost of the external validity since the trial regime (exclusion criteria, randomization, placebo arm) departs decisively from daily routine. Thus, these studies need to be complemented by trials with higher external validity [6]. Observational trials within the context of health service research can fill this gap because they provide high external validity although possessing lower internal validity in return. Such trials are able to supplement the scientific perspective of specific efficacy with a ‘patient-centered’ perspective regarding overall effectiveness. This mostly neglected perspective of the patient is of major importance since patients usually do not care whether health effects due to medi cations are specific or unspecific, but are highly interested in the overall effects [7]. The objective of the present trial was to collect data from the daily routine of 2 GP surgeries regarding the question whether acute rhinosinusitis can be treated adequately and sufficiently with a homeopathic-spagyric remedy named RICURA® spag. Peka N regardless of the type of pathogen and without using any antibiotics.