Evaluating Treatment Patterns in Bell's Palsy Using Nationwide Employer-Sponsored Healthcare Claims

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Clinical Practice Guidelines
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Professional guidelines recommend high-dose steroids and/or antiviral therapy for Bell's palsy.
• Current treatment trends and adherence to these guidelines require evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate national trends in Bell's palsy patient care.
• To identify current treatment patterns and assess adherence to established guidelines.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 66,708 adult Bell's palsy patients (2013-2020).
• Analysis of claims data for prescription rates of high-dose steroids and antivirals.
• Assessment of treatment initiation timing relative to diagnosis.

Main Results:

• 44.7% of patients received no treatment; 34.1% received combination therapy.
• Only 51.9% received AAO-recommended steroids within 72 hours of diagnosis.
• Regional variations and comorbidities influenced treatment patterns.

Conclusions:

• Adherence to AAO-recommended steroid treatment for Bell's palsy remains suboptimal.
• Real-world management of Bell's palsy indicates a need for improved guideline implementation.
• Further research is needed to understand barriers to guideline adherence.