Influence of early high-dose steroid treatment on Bell's palsy evolution.
The objective of this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was to test the efficacy of high-dose prednisone, administered as early as possible, in modifying the natural progression of Bell's palsy. Sixty-two consecutive patients, enrolled within 72 hours of facial palsy onset, were assigned to high dose intravenous prednisone in combination with intramuscular polyvitaminic therapy (group A) or polyvitaminic therapy alone (group B). Clinical grading of facial muscle strength and length of absence from work were evaluated. An early worsening of facial muscle strength was observed in controls, leading to the divergence in the trends of the grading scores in the two groups; this result was not confirmed in the long-term follow-up. Treated patients returned to work earlier than controls. In conclusion, early treatment based on high-dose corticosteroids slightly accelerates spontaneous improvement in Bell's palsy.
Lagalla
G
G
Neurorehabilitation Clinic, Department of Neurosciences, Umberto I Hospital, University of Ancona, Via Conca 1, I-60020 Torrette (AN), Italy.
Logullo
F
F
Di Bella
P
P
Provinciali
L
L
Ceravolo
M G
MG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D020330:Bell Palsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012001:Hyperacusis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D014815:Vitamins; D011241:Prednisone