Prognosis for Bell's palsy: a comparison of diabetic and nondiabetic patients.
CONCLUSIONS
The present study indicates that recovery from Bell's palsy in a diabetic group (DG) is delayed, and the facial movement score remains low in comparison with a nondiabetic group (NDG). More aggressive treatments, such as higher-dose corticosteroid administration and/or facial nerve decompression surgery, might be considered in diabetic patients with severe Bell's palsy.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to reveal prognostic differences for Bell's palsy in the DG and NDG.


METHODS
The grades of facial palsy in 19 diabetic and 57 nondiabetic patients with Bell's palsy were assessed using the House-Brackmann grading system (HB system). Recovery was defined as grade I. The average of HB system grades and recovery rates were compared in the DG and NDG at the start of the treatment, and 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after onset.


RESULTS
There were no differences in the HB system between the DG and NDG at the start of treatment and at 1 month after onset. However, facial movement in the DG was poorer than that in the NDG at 3 months and 6 months after onset. In terms of the recovery rate, the rate in the DG (52.6%) was much lower than that in the NDG (82.5%) at 6 months after onset.
Kanazawa
Atsuko
A
Department of Otolaryngology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan.
Haginomori
Shin-Ichi
S
Takamaki
Atsuko
A
Nonaka
Ryuzaburo
R
Araki
Michitoshi
M
Takenaka
Hiroshi
H
D020330:Bell Palsy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011379:Prognosis; D020127:Recovery of Function
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D011239:Prednisolone