CLINICAL EFFICACY OF DILTIAZEM IN HYPERTHYROIDISM

Objective: To evaluate (he effect of diltiazem on the adrenergic manifestations of hyperthyroidism.Material and Methods: This prospective, interventional study included newly diagnosed, patients with untreated hyperthyroidism attending the out patient department of Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, Peshawar. All patients look diltiazem 30 mg three times a day for 6 weeks. Clinical assessment was done before starting therapy and then serially after 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks (+3 days) using standardized and modified hyperthyroid symptom score (HSS) including excessive sweating, trembling hands, heat intolerance, easy fatigability, nervousness, diarrhoea, increased appetite, palpitation and dyspnoea on exertion.Results: This study was conducted on 19 patients (16 females and 3 males, mean age 35.31 ± 10.36 years) HSS decreased from J4.42 ±_ 2.71 (mean - SD) to 12.89 + 3.39 after one week (P < 0.05), and then to 11.21 ± 3.64, 10.78 + 3.35 and 10.26 ± 2.95 after 2, 4 and 6 weeks, respectively (P < 0.001).Conclusion: Diltiazem effectively controls the clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism.