Utility of Repertory of the Homoeopathic Materia Medica by J. T. Kent (Kent’s Repertory) in the treatment of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media: A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media is a long standing infection of middle ear with intermittent or persistent otorrhoea through perforated tympanic membrane for more than 6 weeks duration. It is more prevalent in developing nation than developed countries. In India the overall prevalence rate of CSOM was found to be 6%. In present scenario indiscriminate, haphazard use of antibiotics and the poor follow up of the patients have resulted in the persistence of low grade infections in middle ear and development of multiple resistant strain of bacteria. Homoeopathy can offers an alternative option for treatment of CSOM. So the aim of this study was to find out the efficacy of homoeopathic constitutional medicine in the management of CSOM with the help of Repertory of the Homoeopathic Materia Medica by J. T. Kent.

Methods: A prospective, single-arm, non-randomised, open-label, observational study was conducted on 30 patients diagnosed with CSOM at the Outpatient Department of National Institute of Homoeopathy, Kolkata. The Chronic Otitis Media Outcome Test (COMOT 15) score was the primary outcome measure. The outcome measure was obtained at baseline and 6 months after treatment. The intention to treat population was statistically analysed in the end.

Results: The maximum number of patients belonged to age group of 11 to 20 years (n = 8; 27%) and 41–50 years (n = 8; 27%). Male: female ratio was 1:2. Compared to baseline, COMOT 15 scores have been reduced significantly over 6 months (51.2 ± 6.42 vs. 26.93 ± 13.24; mean difference: 24.27±12.95 [95% confidence interval (CI): 19.54, 28.99]; t = 10.26; P < 0.0001; Student’s t-test. The most frequently indicated medicines were Pulsatilla nigricans (n= 5; 16.66%) and Mercurius solubilis (n= 5; 16.66%).

Conclusion: Homoeopathic medicines seemed to have a potential effect in the treatment of chronic suppurative otitis media with the help of Repertory of the Homoeopathic Materia Medica by J. T. Kent. To generalized the result more studies like randomised controlled trials should be undertaken.