Clinical effects of hyperbaric oxygen combined with propylthiouracil on old patients with hyperthyroidism and on related serum indexes

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) combined with propylthiouracil (PTU) on old patients with hyperthyroidism and on related serum indexes. Methods One hundred and twenty old patients with hyperthyroidism treated either in the Endocrinology Department and Geriatrics Department or the Outpatient Department of the hospital from November 2016 to November 2018 were enrolled for the study. The patients were divided into 2 groups: the PTU group and the HBO group, according to different treatment profiles, each consisting of 60 patients. The PTU group was given propylthiouracil on the basis of routine treatment, while the HBO group received HBO therapy on the basis of the treatment received by the PTU group. The treatment efficacy, changes in the levels of serum TSH, FT3, FT4, TRAb and TPOAb both before and after treatment, as well as the rates of adverse drug reactions during treatment were closely observed and compared between the patients of the 2 groups. Results After 3 courses of treatment, the therapeutic efficacy of the HBO group was 90.0%, which was obviously higher than 71.7% of the PTU group (or the control group), (P 0.05). After treatment, the indexes of various symptoms were improved prominently, as compared with those before treatment(P<0.05 or P<0.01), and those of the HBO group decreased more significantly as compared with those of the PTU group(P<0.05). In terms of food intake, timely medication, improvement in social function and mental health, the HBO group were all superior to those of the PTU group, and statistical significance could be seen when comparisons were made between the 2 groups(P<0.05). The rate of adverse reactions of the HBO group was evidently lower than that of the PTU group, also with statistical significance(P<0.05). Conclusion HBO combined with propylthiouracil in the treatment of old patients with hyperthyroidism could improve related hormone levels and life quality, and decrease the rate of adverse drug reactions. Therefore, it is of clinical reference. Key words: Hyperbaric oxygen; Propylthiouracil; Hyperthyroidism; Clinical efficacy