FAMCICLOVIR PLUS PREDNISOLONE IN COMPARISON WITH PREDNISOLONE ALONEIN THE TREATMENT OF BELLS PALSY

Bells palsy is the most common cause of acute onset unilateral peripheral facial weakness Bells palsy treatment Comparison of Famciclovir plus Prednisolone with Prednisolone Alone was the aim of the current study. The present study was a time bound prospective study conducted in the department of otorhinolaryngology,Govt Medical College Srinagar during the period from March 2018 to March 2020 for 24 month. Total 60 eligible patients presenting with clinical featurescompatible with Bells palsy were included in the study. Informed consent was taken from all patients. The patients were divided into two groups of 30 patients in each. Group I received Famciclovir 500 mg thrice a day for seven days plus prednisolone in a tapering dosage schedule (60 mg daily for initial 5 days, tapered by 10 mg daily over next 5 days). Group II received 10 days of oralprednisolone of similar schedule. Outcome was assessed at 3 months with House–Brackman scale and the patients were followed up to a period of three months. Results: In this study, the total number of patients was 60 patients. The 37(61.67%) patient were females and 23 (38.33%) patient were males showing clearly a predominance of females .The peak incidence in the group 21-40 years accounting for 23 (38.33%) of the patients. The incidence of Bells palsy shows a decline below the age of 20 years 13 (21.67%) patients, and above the age of 61years, 6 (10%) patients. From the total number of patients the study 36 (60%) patients were affected on the right side of the face and 24 (40%) on the left side of the face. The rate of complete recovery in our study was 21(70%) patients who received Famciclovir plus prednisolone and in those who received prednisolone alone it was18 (60%)patients. Conclusion: Intreatment of Bells palsy, combination therapy like famciclovir and prednisolone is more effective than prednisolone alone and can result inmore complete recovery of facial weakness.