Frequently occurring polar symptoms assessed by successful cases.

Background: Frequently occurring symptoms with opposite poles like 'Cold ameliorates/aggravates' are regarded valuable for homeopathic practice, but are insufficiently assessed and impossible to handle with conventional repertorisation.

Method: In a pilot study 30 questions out of a standard questionnaire in 102 cases responding well to five medicines were analysed and compared with a control group of 100 consecutive new cases. Outcomes of a pivot table, Likelihood Ratio (LR) calculations and Multivariate Analysis (MVA) were compared.

Results: Some questions were less useful than expected. With an average of 4.8 useful answers per patient and moderate LRs this questionnaire provided substantial information. MVA was useful in emphasising differences between medicines and for differential diagnosis.

Conclusion: The value of frequently occurring symptoms could be much enhanced by scientific assessment. We propose further research with an improved questionnaire.