Letter to the Editor (matters arising) doi:10.1093/rheumatology/ker120

rheumatoid arthritis patients that are attributable to the consultation process but not the homeopathic remedy: a randomized controlled clinical trial SIR, We read with interest the article by Brien et al. [1] pub-lished recently in this Journal. The authors conclude that homeopathic consultations, but not homeopathic reme-dies, are associated with clinically relevant benefits for patients with active but relatively stable RA. In the same edition, Ernst in his editorial [2] suggests that we should take these results at face value; that homeopathic reme-dies are ineffective and empathetic therapeutic encounters are helpful. Brien et al. [1] sought to assess whether any benefits from adjunctive homeopathic treatment in patients with RA are due to the homeopathic consultation, homeopathi