Comparison between the Efficacy of Steroids and Acyclovir in the Management of Patients with Bells Palsy
Journal Title: International Journal of Contemporary Medical Research - Year 2018, Vol 5, Issue 8
Abstract
Introduction: Bell’s palsy accounts for about 70% of all cases of peripheral facial palsy and the annual incidence is about 30/100 000 population with a peak incidence between the second and fourth decades of life. Two main types of pharmacological treatment have been used to improve outcomes from Bell’s palsy: steroids and antivirals. Studies have produced somewhat conflicting results, however, and there is debate over the effectiveness of antivirals on top of steroids. Study aimed to assess the efficacy of steroid and acyclovir used alone and in combination in the treatment for Bells palsy patients. Material and Methods: A prospective study was carried out at Indira Gandhi government general hospital for a period of one year. Bells palsy patients in the age group of 18 – 75 years with unilateral idiopathic facial nerve palsy presenting to the hospital with more than 72 hours after the onset of facial nerve palsy were included for the study. A total of 84 patients were included for the study.They were divided into four groups of 21 each. Group I patients received steroid alone, group II patients were given acyclovir alone, group III patients had both steroid and acyclovir and group IV patients received only placebo (multivitamins). Results: After the intervention at the end of 6 months we found that majority of the patients had improved from grade III to grade I in group I (steroid only group) compared to other groups and it was followed by group III (acyclovir and steroid) and this difference was found to be statistically significant (p<.05), whereas patients in group IV (multivitamin placebo group) did not show any improvement in the grading of facial palsy. The parameters of the nerve conduction study, latency, amplitude, duration and area had shown a statistical significant improvement at the end of 6 months compared to the base line values particularly in group I (steroid only) and group III (steroid plus acyclovir) patients of Bells palsy. Conclusion: Bell’s Palsy treated with Steroids is significantly better than other treatment in restoration and improvement in facial function.
Authors and Affiliations
S Sudhaselvi, R Shankar
Keywords
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