Publication

Abstract : Chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, and osteoarthritis continue to pose a major global health burden, requiring long-term management strategies. Conventional allopathic medicine remains central to care, offering rapid clinical benefits; however, long-term therapy is frequently associated with adverse effects and diminishing efficacy. Ayurveda, with its holistic principles and natural formulations, has emerged as a potential supportive approach. This study investigated the comparative efficacy of Ayurvedic formulations, standard allopathic therapy, and an integrative regimen combining both in the control of long-term illness. A randomized, controlled trial involving 240 participants was conducted over 16 weeks. Participants were assigned to Ayurvedic, allopathic, or integrative treatment arms. Outcomes assessed included fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, Disease Activity Score (DAS28), blood pressure, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC score), and health-related quality of life using WHOQOL-BREF. Both Ayurvedic and allopathic therapies improved disease-specific and quality-of-life outcomes. However, the integrative therapy consistently outperformed either monotherapy, producing superior reductions in glycemic indices, inflammatory markers, blood pressure, and functional limitations in osteoarthritis. The greatest difference in quality of life and patient satisfaction also occurred in the integrative arm. Therapies were all well tolerated, and adverse events were mild and fewer in Ayurvedic and integrative groups than in allopathic therapy. The outcomes emphasize the potential of integrative medicine as a sustainable and patient-centered model of chronic disease management, which is in favor of integrating Ayurveda with conventional care.