Bell's palsy is the first cause of unilateral facial palsy. The likely etiologic mechanism is facial nerve inflammation secondary to viral reactivation, most probably due to herpes simplex and Varicella Zoster. Corticosteroids are considered the mainstay of treatment, but it is not clear whether adding antivirals would further increase the benefit. Searching in Epistemonikos database, which is maintained by screening 30 databases, we identified 10 systematic reviews including 15 pertinent randomized controlled trials overall. We combined the evidence and generated a summary of findings following the GRADE approach. We concluded that adding antivirals to the treatment with corticosteroids probably reduces the risk of incomplete recovery in patients with Bell's palsy.
OBJECTIVE: To review evidence published since the 2001 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) practice parameter regarding the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of steroids and antiviral agents for Bell palsy.
METHODS: We searched Medline and the Cochrane Database of Controlled Clinical Trials for studies published since January 2000 that compared facial functional outcomes in patients with Bell palsy receiving steroids/antivirals with patients not receiving these medications. We graded each study (Class I-IV) using the AAN therapeutic classification of evidence scheme. We compared the proportion of patients recovering facial function in the treated group with the proportion of patients recovering facial function in the control group.
RESULTS: Nine studies published since June 2000 on patients with Bell palsy receiving steroids/antiviral agents were identified. Two of these studies were rated Class I because of high methodologic quality.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: For patients with new-onset Bell palsy, steroids are highly likely to be effective and should be offered to increase the probability of recovery of facial nerve function (2 Class I studies, Level A) (risk difference 12.8%-15%). For patients with new-onset Bell palsy, antiviral agents in combination with steroids do not increase the probability of facial functional recovery by >7%. Because of the possibility of a modest increase in recovery, patients might be offered antivirals (in addition to steroids) (Level C). Patients offered antivirals should be counseled that a benefit from antivirals has not been established, and, if there is a benefit, it is likely that it is modest at best.
Bell's palsy is the first cause of unilateral facial palsy. The likely etiologic mechanism is facial nerve inflammation secondary to viral reactivation, most probably due to herpes simplex and Varicella Zoster. Corticosteroids are considered the mainstay of treatment, but it is not clear whether adding antivirals would further increase the benefit. Searching in Epistemonikos database, which is maintained by screening 30 databases, we identified 10 systematic reviews including 15 pertinent randomized controlled trials overall. We combined the evidence and generated a summary of findings following the GRADE approach. We concluded that adding antivirals to the treatment with corticosteroids probably reduces the risk of incomplete recovery in patients with Bell's palsy.
