No effect of corticosteroid treatment for idiopathic facial paralysis

This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine if the effect of corticosteroid treatment on idiopathic facial palsy (IFP) could be reproduced in patients treated in a strictly clinical setting.

A total of 43 patients diagnosed with IFP in the period 2004-2009 were included and patient files were reviewed. Treatment with corticosteroids was introduced as standard treatment for this disease in December 2006, ensuring groups of similar size. In all, 20 patients had received prednisolone and 23 patients had not. Baseline characteristics were registered and severity of facial palsy according to the House-Brackmann grading system (HB) was determined before treatment and at follow-up.

Change in HB score did not differ between participant groups (delta HB: 3 (range: 0-5), and 3 (range: 1-5), patients treated with steroids versus patients receiving no treatment, respectively, p = 0.69). When dividing patients into sub-groups according to age (age >/≤ 40 years), no difference was found for change in HB score between treatment groups for either age group (age ≤ 40 years; p = 0.59, and age > 40 years; p = 0.12). The effect of steroid treatment on outcome was larger among older than among younger patients (p = 0.03).

Treatment with prednisolone does not improve short-term outcome in patients with IFP in an unselected clinical setting. Further studies should evaluate the possible effect of age on treatment outcome.

not relevant.

not relevant.