title: Steroid therapy for paralytic deformities in leprosy.
abstract: One-hundred-forty-nine patients with 272 nerve paralyses, with visible deformity and gross disability, were prospectively followed up with steroid therapy. Out of 151 ulnar paralyses, 101 recovered (67%). Out of 52 median nerve paralyses, 45 recovered (86%); out of 69 foot drops, 54 recovered (78%) for an overall improvement of 73%. Serious side effects were few. Hence, steroid therapy should be widely encouraged for the treatment of early nerve damage to prevent permanent deformity/disability, and vigilance in spotting complications of steroid therapy is emphasized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Sacred Heart Leprosy Center, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Sugumaran
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D010243:Paralysis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone