Estudio epidemiológico sobre trastornos de ansiedad en atención primaria: integración de la homeopatía en el abordaje terapéutico

Objectives

To characterise the epidemiological and clinical profile of patients attending a primary care (PC) unit due to anxiety disorder (AD), determine the therapeutic management in real clinical practice, and evaluate the short-term effect of the most frequent combination therapies, including homeopathy.

Patients and methods

Epidemiological, prospective, and multicentre study involving clinical data from 110 patients under supervision of 15 PC physicians who were familiar with the use of homeopathic agents. The clinical evaluation was established by Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Anxiety Visual Analogue Scale, and Clinical Global Impression of Change Scale, over 60 days of follow-up.

Results

The patient with AD was predominantly female. Two-thirds experienced generalized AD or panic disorder, and almost 20% had psychological comorbidities. The treatment with several drugs was more frequent than monotherapy, consisting mainly in the combination of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, benzodiazepines, and a complex homeopathic drug (27.3%). The clinical evaluation was favourable, defined by a statically significant decrease in anxiety, but with no differences between the combinations of treatments.

Conclusions

PC physicians who are familiar with the use of homeopathic agents already use them as a complementary therapeutic option in the management of AD. According to the favourable clinical results achieved with single as well as combined therapy, this clinical practice should be integrated into the management of AD in PC.