Objective: To evaluate the beneficial effect of steroid therapy in the treatment of diabetic patients with Bell's palsy (BP).
Methods: There were three patient groups in the present retrospective study. Group I consisted of diabetic patients with BP who were hospitalized for corticosteroid treatment, whereas Group II was composed of diabetic patients with BP who refused to receive steroid therapy after being informed about the adverse effects of the regimen. Thirty age- and sex-matched non-diabetic BP patients treated with steroid therapy on an outpatient basis constituted Group III. House-Brackmann (H-B) grades at onset and 12 months after facial paralysis, mean complete recovery time and the number of patients who demonstrated satisfactory recovery were compared between the groups.
Results: There was no statistically significant difference with regard to H-B grades, mean recovery time or number of patients with satisfactory recovery at onset and 12 months after facial paralysis among the study groups.
Conclusion: In diabetic patients with BP, the recovery of facial functions may be satisfactory without steroid therapy as long as the regulation of blood sugar and blood pressure levels are ensured with regular medical follow-up.