INTRODUCTION:

       Pulmonary Tuberculosis is a major public health problem in the country. Every year about 70,000 new cases are reported. In Delhi there are several TB clinics and two major TB hospitals which offer treatment to these patients. The allopathic treatment is for long period (about one year or more) very expensive and has many side effects. Bacterial resistance to the commonly used allopathic anti-tuberucular drugs (ATT) is frequently encountered which requires a different long term regime with greater number of more expensive drugs. The cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis resistant of traditional ATT are known as MDRTB. About 40% cases getting treatment at the major hospitals are of MDRTB. These cases need to be treated completely for prevention for further transmission of infection. The advent of AIDS epidemic is likely to further aggravate the problem in future.

       It has been reported that homoeopathy is quiet effective in the treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Keeping in view the cost effectiveness and wide acceptance of Homoeopathic drugs in the community, it is desirable that these may be tired in the treatment of MDRPTB.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

To find out the efficacy of Homoeopathic drugs in the treatment of tuberculosis.

To find out the most efficacious drugs with their reliable indication, potencies and frequency of administration.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

       Eighteen patients (10 males, 8 females) having tuberculosis [12 (Pulmonary), 4 (lymphnodes) and 2 (Pyrexia) ] were treated during 1995-96. Out of 18 cases, 11 had taken ATT with partial or no recover. All the cases were selected randomly and the following information and investigations were recorded on pre-structured performa.

Complete symptomatology of patients (clinical presentation, individualizing symptoms)

II Investigation

a.   Haemogram
b.   Chest radiography
c.   Bacteriological (sputum for AFB)
d.   F.N.A.C.
e.   Elisa Test.
f.   Montoux Test

       The cases were given drugs after analysis and repertorisation. The cases were examined on weekly basis and were periodically investigated. No concomitant therapy (ATT) was given during treatment. The relative data in respect of these cases is as under.

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The relative data in respect of these cures is us under :-

Drugs used :-

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Response:-

X-Ray changes:-

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Discussion :

1. Marked Improvement was observed in clinical symptoms like fever, heamoplysis, chest pain, cough etc. In most of the cases 75-100%). Appetite and weight also improved considerably in about 90% cases after treatment within two to three months.

2. Seven cases who were having AFB positive become negative with in 8 to 10 weeks.

3. Radiological changes also improved considerably. Parenchymal infiltration reduced in seven cases, pleural effusion reduced in two cases and in four cases the lesions remained static and in one case there was aggravation.

4. ESR became normal in eight out (50%) of 14 cases.

5. Phosphorous, Sepla, Nux Vomica, Natrum Mur, Lycopodium, Sulphur & Pulsatilla were found effective as constitutional drugs whereas lpecac and Acalypha indica were found efficacious fir heamoptysis. Their useful indications are given in the foot note.

6. In most of the cases 30th potency was used and in few cases 200 was used. These were used in single doses with repitation only after weak or fortnight. Both the potencies were found equally effective.

7. Number of cases treated with each drug are not sufficient to indicate the extent of usefulness of individual drug however homoeopathy as a system of medicine has been found quite effective in the treatment of tuberculosis.

It is recommended that useful homoeopathic drugs should be short listed and should be certified by double blind study designs.

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REFERENCE:

1. Dr. K. K. Goyal, British Homoeopathic Journal, Vol 4, No.2 1994.

2. Munch, Hahnemann Gleanings, Vol 13, No.3, April 1843.

FOOT NOTE :

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