Background:
Assessment of the likelihood ratio (LR) of symptoms has been proposed as a rational
means for detecting indicators to homeopathic medicines.
Aims:
To investigate the prevalence and LR of symptoms commonly attributed to the homeopathic
medicine Lycopodium clavatum (Lyc). Secondarily, to answer the question if experienced homeopaths could intuitively
infer which the main symptoms of this medicine are.
Methods:
The presence of 35 selected symptoms, prescribed medicines and therapeutic response
were assessed retrospectively. The symptoms' prevalence in the Lyc responding population
and the LR of the symptoms compared to their prevalence in the remainder of the population
were calculated.
Results:
Two hundred and two Lyc and 550 non Lyc cases (total 752) were included for analysis.
Twenty-two symptoms were confirmed as pertaining to Lyc's semiology (prevalence %;
LR): contemptuous (3.3; 6.7), urinary stones history (2.7; 5.4), egotism (5.6; 3.6),
dictatorial (33.3; 3.4), haughty (8.7; 3.3), sleeps on abdomen (3.3; 3.3), intolerance
to clothing in abdomen (12.0; 3.1), reproaches (4.0; 3.0), helplessness (24.0; 2.7),
fear of failure (10.7; 2.6), irritability on waking in the morning (16.7; 2.5), constipation
alternating with diarrhea (8.7; 2.5), intolerant to contradiction (59.3; 2.3), want
of self confidence (30.0; 2.4), abdominal distension after eating (23.3; 2.1); ailments
from anticipation (32.0; 1.9), irritability before menses (23.3; 1.8), conscientious
(26.0; 1.6), desire of sweets (52.0; 1.6), desire of chocolate (16.7; 1.6), lack of
vital heat (41.3; 1.3), and flatterer (1.3; ∞). Surveyed homeopaths' intuitive inferences
correlated well with symptoms' prevalence but not with their LR.
Conclusions:
Lycopodium's main symptoms are well known by homeopaths, but their knowledge correlates
well with the symptoms' prevalence and not with their LR. Retrospective assessment
of prevalence and LR of symptoms in good responders might be a means for better selection
of symptoms for prospective studies.
Keywords
Homeopathy -
Lycopodium clavatum
- Likelihood ratio - Prevalence - Symptoms - Materia medica
