Abstract | BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVES: SEARCH STRATEGY: Search of the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group register, MEDLINE, EMBASE and LILACS databases for randomised trials. We also contacted authors of identified trials. SELECTION CRITERIA: DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We identified four randomised trials. One author extracted the data and the other checked them. We wrote to all the authors of the trials identified. No additional data were obtained. MAIN RESULTS: Only two studies met our inclusion criteria and provided results from 200 patients. One study evaluated aciclovir with corticosteroid versus steroid alone and the other study evaluated aciclovir alone versus corticosteroid. PRIMARY OUTCOME Proportion of patients with incomplete recovery after one year: These data were not available. However an analysis was performed on data reported at the end of the study period, three (De Diego 1998) or four months (Adour 1996) after the start of treatment. The results from the Adour study significantly favoured the treatment group whilst the De Diego study significantly favoured the control group. Adverse events: This analysis was not performed as the data were not reported. Complete facial paralysis six months after start of treatment: Only one patient had complete paralysis upon entering only one of the studies (De Diego 1998). This patient was assigned to the control group and the level of recovery attained was not reported. Motor synkinesis/Crocodile tears one year after start of treatment: Data were available up to a maximum of four months after onset of paralysis. One study reported a significant difference between the treatment groups in favour of the aciclovir group and the other demonstrated an inconclusive result. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: More data are needed from a large multicentre randomised controlled and blinded study with at least 12 months' follow up before a definitive recommendation can be made regarding the routine use of aciclovir in Bell's palsy.
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Authors | J Sipe, L Dunn |
Journal | The Cochrane database of systematic reviews
(Cochrane Database Syst Rev)
Issue 2
Pg. CD001869
( 2001)
ISSN: 1469-493X [Electronic] England |
PMID | 11406014
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review, Systematic Review)
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Chemical References |
- Antiviral Agents
- Acyclovir
|
Topics |
- Acyclovir
(therapeutic use)
- Antiviral Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Bell Palsy
(drug therapy, virology)
- Herpes Simplex
(complications, drug therapy)
- Humans
- Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
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