The possible contributing factors for the success of steroid therapy in Bell's Palsy: a clinical and electrophysiological study

Abstract

Incomplete recovery from Bell's palsy was observed in some patients even after the intake of corticosteroids. This prospective study was performed on 160 patients with unilaterial nonrecurrent Bell's palsy in order to investigate the role of prednisolone on the prognosis of Bell's palsy. Ninety-three patients were given prednisolone tablets (1 mg/kg body wt/day up to 70 mg) for six successive days, then the dose was reduced gradually over the next four days. The remaining 67 patients were not given prednisolone (control group). Facial nerve recovery was assessed clinically and electrophysiologically for up to one year. The results of this study suggested that the most probable contributing factor for the success of prednisolone in improving the prognosis of Bell's palsy was its early intake (within the first 24 hours following onset).

Practice parameter: Steroids, acyclovir, and surgery for Bell’s palsy (an evidence-based review) [RETIRED]

“…We graded one 14 nonrandomized, unmatched, controlled study with masked outcome assessments as class III. In this study, there were important confounding baseline differences between steroid-treated and non-steroid-treated patients.…”

“…Most of the patients enrolled in these studies were treated within 1 week of onset of facial paralysis. The class III study 14 showed a nonsignificant trend of more benefit in patients who received steroids early (by day 1: RR 1.25; by day 2: RR 1.19; by day 3: RR 1.12).…”

Role of Corticosteroids in Oral Lesions

“…Other studies have shown the benefits of treatment with steroids; in one, patients with severe facial palsy showed a significant improvement after treatment within 24 hours (Shafshak 1994;Williamson 1996).…”

Assesment, diagnosis and prognosis of bells palsy: a literature review

“…While no single prognostic factor has been confirmed or refuted, research has suggested the following: degree of paresis and motor action potential value (Abraham-Inpijn et al 1987); serial minimal excitability of the facial nerve (Devi et al 1978); early intake of prednisolone (Shafshak et al 1994); the amplitude of evoked motor response obtained after 6 or more days of clinical paresis (Boongird and Vejjajiva 1978) and in children facial nerve latency was reported (Danselides et al 1992).…”