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Effectiveness, Quality of Life, and Cost of Caring for Children in France with Recurrent Acute Rhinopharyngitis Managed by Homeopathic or Non-Homeopathic General Practitioners: A Pragmatic, Prospective Observational Study

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Author Info

  • Melanie Trichard

    (Laboratoires BOIRON, Sainte-Foy-Les-Lyon, France)

  • Gilles Chaufferin

    (Laboratoires BOIRON, Sainte-Foy-Les-Lyon, France)

  • Christian Dubreuil

    (Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Lyon Sud, Lyon, France)

  • Nicolas Nicoloyannis

    (Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France)

  • Gerard Duru

    (Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France)

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    Abstract

    Background & Objective: In France, non-homeopathic general practitioners (GPs) often use antibacterials to treat children with recurrent acute viral rhinopharyngitis; whereas homeopathic GPs tend to use homeopathic medicines. We compared the effectiveness, the quality of life of the parents, and the direct and indirect costs associated with treatment from homeopathic and non-homeopathic GPs. Method: We assessed the direct (consultations, medicines, further tests) and indirect (time off work) costs of the two types of treatment to society, the patient, and social security. We also assessed the effectiveness of the treatment received and the quality of life of the parents. Results: Of the 499 children included, 231 were treated by 62 non-homeopathic GPs and 268 by 73 homeopathic GPs. The effectiveness (assessed as complications/patient, total number of adverse events, and quality of life) [mean overall Parents of children with Ear, Nose, and Throat infections Quality of Life questionnaire(C) scale score] was better in the homeopathic GP group than in the non-homeopathic GP group. No significant difference was found between the two groups for the total costs to social security ( Conclusion: This study produced new findings that indicate that, in France, acute rhinopharyngitis is handled differently by homeopathic GPs and non-homeopathic GPs: homeopathic GPs prescribe fewer antibacterials than non-homeopathic GPs for the treatment of recurrent acute rhinopharyngitis in children aged between 18 months and 4 years. Moreover, homeopathic treatment gave better results in terms of pragmatic medical effectiveness (fewer episodes and fewer complications) and the parents' quality of life, with similar total medical costs to social security. However, this study is potentially biased by the lack of homogeneity of the two patient-samples in terms of the

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    Bibliographic Info

    Article provided by Wolters Kluwer Health | Adis in its journal Disease Management & Health Outcomes.

    Volume (Year): 12 (2004)
    Issue (Month): 6 ()
    Pages: 419-427
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    Handle: RePEc:wkh:dmhout:v:12:y:2004:i:6:p:419-427

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    Web page: http://diseasemanagement.adisonline.com/

    For corrections or technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its listing, contact: (Dave Dustin).

    Related research

    Keywords: General-practice; Health-economics; Homoeopathy; Nasopharyngitis; Quality-of-life;

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