Are corticosteroid and antiviral treatments effective for bell palsy? A critically appraised topic
: Bell palsy is idiopathic peripheral facial weakness that typically resolves without severe clinical sequelae. Treatment with corticosteroids and antiviral drugs is often initiated to improve the likelihood of a favorable outcome. : Are corticosteroid and antiviral medications effective in the trea...
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Published in | The Neurologist (Baltimore, Md.) Vol. 16; no. 2; p. 138 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
United States
01.03.2010
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get more information |
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Summary: | : Bell palsy is idiopathic peripheral facial weakness that typically resolves without severe clinical sequelae. Treatment with corticosteroids and antiviral drugs is often initiated to improve the likelihood of a favorable outcome.
: Are corticosteroid and antiviral medications effective in the treatment of Bell palsy?
: The objective was addressed through the development of a structured critically appraised topic. This included a clinical scenario with a structured question, search strategy, critical appraisal, results, evidence summary, commentary, pre- and postassessment, and bottom-line conclusions. Participants included consultant and resident neurologists, a medical librarian, clinical epidemiologists, and a clinical content expert in the field of Otolaryngology.
: The largest (18 trials involving 2786 patients) current systematic review and meta-analysis for pharmacologic treatment of Bell palsy was selected for appraisal. The meta-analysis demonstrated a clear benefit of oral corticosteroids, alone, in preventing unsatisfactory recovery of facial weakness (relative risk, 0.69 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.55-0.87], number needed to treat 11 [95% CI, 8-25]). Treatment with antiviral medication, alone, was not associated with a reduced risk of unsatisfactory recovery. When administered concurrently with corticosteroids, antiviral treatments displayed a trend toward reduced risk of unsatisfactory recovery, compared with corticosteroids alone (relative risk, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.56-1.00]).
: Corticosteroids effectively reduce the risk of an unfavorable outcome in Bell palsy. Antiviral agents, when administered concurrently with corticosteroids, may result in additional benefit. |
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ISSN: | 2331-2637 |
DOI: | 10.1097/NRL.0b013e3181d35775 |