A CLINICAL STUDY OF INDIVIDUALIZED HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA (BPH) USING THE INTERNATIONAL PROSTATE SYMPTOM SCORE (IPSS)

Abstract

Background: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) has become a prevalent disorder in older adults, characterized by an enlarged prostate gland leading to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Modern medical management includes watchful waiting, pharmacotherapy, and surgery as the final interventional modality. However, every such modality is associated with certain limitations such as side effects, poor compliance, or invasiveness. Individualized Homoeopathic management is a therapeutic approach, being explored in the recent times as a complementary system of medicine, aiming to relieve symptoms, improve quality of life, and potentially lead to lesser interventional or surgical procedures. Objectives: This study was done to evaluate the role of individualized homoeopathic management in individuals clinically diagnosed with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, aiming for symptomatic improvement, post-void residual volumes, and enhanced overall Quality of Life (QoL). Methods: This clinical study was done at the OPD of Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) Homoeopathic Hospital, Peripheral OPDs and Urban camps, where 31 male patients aged over 40 years diagnosed with BPH were evaluated for inclusion and exclusion. Baseline assessment included detailed case-taking, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), BPH Impact Index (BII) score, Prostate volume and post void residual volume measured by abdominal and pelvic sonography. Patients were prescribed individualized homoeopathic remedies based on totality of symptoms according to their respective constitutions following standard homoeopathic principles. Follow-ups were done at regular intervals over a stipulated period of study to monitor symptom progression, post-void volumes and changes in the quality of life. This data was analysed to assess the statistical significance of both symptomatic and radiological improvements. Results: The Individualized Homoeopathic treatment administered to the study subjects resulted in a clinically ascertainable decrease in the intensity of the symptoms as evaluated by the IPSS. Post-void volumes and quality of life scores too have shown significant improvements. Most patients also demonstrated a mild reduction in prostate volume on ultrasonography over the follow-up period. Remedies frequently indicated included Pulsatilla, Lycopodium, Belladonna, Baryta carbonica, Conium maculatum and Staphysagria, selected based on individual’s constitution. No significant adverse effects were reported during or after the study period. Conclusion: Individualized homoeopathic treatment was found to have a significant therapeutic role in BPH by improving urinary symptoms, quality of life, and in some cases prostate size, without the adverse effects commonly seen in conventional therapies. However, large-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are to be undertaken to validate the above findings and explore long-term outcomes.