Effect of individualised homoeopathic intervention in dyslipidaemia: An open-label, randomised, controlled, exploratory trial

Background: Dyslipidaemia, the derangement of one or many of the lipoproteins is a major cause of cardiovascular events, causing 2.6 million deaths per year globally. Objectives: This study evaluated the efficacy of individualised homoeopathic medicines with lifestyle modification in the management of dyslipidaemia. Materials and Methods: This multicentric, open-label, randomised controlled exploratory trial was conducted at seven study sites under the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy. Participants fulfilling the eligibility criteria were enrolled. The primary outcome was to evaluate changes in Low-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol at months 3 and 6. Secondary outcomes were to evaluate changes in total cholesterol, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein at months 3 and 6. Results: All pre-determined study outcomes followed the intention-to-treat approach. 217 patients (Individualised Homoeopathy (IH) along with lifestyle modification (IH plus therapeutic lifestyle changes [TLC]) n = 107; Placebo along with TLC (n = 110) were enrolled and analysed. Independent t-test at month 6 showed a statistically significant reduction in LDL (mean difference ± standard error: 7.03 ± 3.3; 95% confidence interval = 0.5–13.5; p = 0.03) favouring IH over placebo. Improvement in secondary outcomes; reduction in total cholesterol (p > 0.05) and triglycerides (p > 0.05) was greater in the IH group but was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). Associated symptoms such as rheumatological and neurological complaints also improved in the IH group. Frequently prescribed medicines were Lycopodium, Sulphur, and Calcarea carbonica. Conclusion: IH along with lifestyle modification was found to play a potential role in reducing the LDL cholesterol and in the management of dyslipidaemia. Further blinded studies in different settings and long-term follow-up are warranted.