The Efficacy and Safety of Cinnarizine in the Treatment of Vertigo in a Sample of Iraqi Patients in Al-Diwaniyah Province

Background: Vertigo is acoomon vestibular disorder in daily clinical practice that is frequently described as rotational sensation by patients and caused by a variety of causes that can be central or peripheral in origin. Treatment should be directed toward underlying etiology, but symptomatic relief is required to improve patients’ quality of life. Cinnarizine is frequently prescribed to relieve symptoms associated with vertigo; however little is known about its efficacy in daily clinical practice in Al-Diwaniyah province. Aim of the study: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of cinnarizne in the treatment of vertigo in patients visiting ENT unit at Al-Diwaniayh teaching hospital. Patients and method: The present cohort study included 66 patients of vertigo who were treated medically by cinarrizine (stugeron) and followed up for treatment response evaluation. The study was carried out in Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) unit in Al-Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital, Mid-Euphrates region, Iraq. The study started on June 2018 and ended on July 2019. The main variables included in the study were age, residency, level of education, occupation, other associated ENT manifestations and chronic illnesses. The primary outcome was response to treatment classified into satisfactory and unsatisfactory. Results: Mean age of patients with satisfactory response was significantly less than that of patients with unsatisfactory response, 45.73 ±13.31 years versus 54.95 ±15.67 years, respectively (P = 0.016). Response to treatment was not significantly associated to gender, residency, occupation and education (P > 0.05). Response to treatment was not significantly associated to bilateral ear wax, acute otitis media, chronic suppurative otitis media, Meniere’s disease and common cold (P > 0.05); however, it was significantly in the absence of hearing impairment and tinnitus (P < 0.05). Response to treatment was no significantly associated to uremia, trauma, anemia, hypothyroidism, anxiety, hypotension, arthritis and urinary tract infection (UTI) (P > 0.05), but significantly better in the absence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension (P < 0.05).