title: Systemic corticosteroids do not prevent postherpetic neuralgia.
abstract: We review the use of corticosteroids in preventing postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in a retrospective study over 5 years and 10 months. Out of 113 patients evaluable, 46 (40%) had PHN. 21 of these 46 patients (38%) had received prednisone (p = 0.49; n.s.). Duration and intensity of PHN were not different in the prednisone-treated group. This long-term study does not support the use of prednisone for preventing PHN.
authors.affiliation: Clinique de Dermatologie, Hôpital Cantonal Universitaire, Genève, Suisse.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Calza
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schmied
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harms
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011241:Prednisone