Endocrine Abstracts

Objective

to analyze the clinical presentation and prognosis of Bell’s palsy in diabetic patients.

Materiel and methods

This retrospective study included 76 diabetic patients with Bell ’s palsy in the ENT department of Tahar Sfar Mahdia; Tunisia from January 1988 to December 2018. The system of House-Brackmann was used for assessing the severity of nerve damage.

Results

a total of 76 diabetic patients with Bell’s palsy were included in this study. The average age was 46 years (range: 26 and 82 years). In terms of their sex distribution, we found a male dominance (41 men, 35 women). According to the House-Brackmann (H-B) grading system, four patients were diagnosed with grade III, 41 with grade IV, 15 with grade V and 16 with grade VI. All 76 patients received the same therapeutic protocol, which included intravenous administration of prednisolone and acyclovir 500 mg intravenous thrice daily. Serum glucose was monitored thrice daily with finger prick testing and appropriatr treatement was administered according to the instructions of their physician. After a 6-months follow-up, complete recovery was achieved in 60 patients. Three patients presented a grade IV, five patients a grade III and 10 patients a grade II paresis. Recurrence episodes were noted in four patients.

Conclusion

a relationship between the severity of Bell palsy and diabetes seems to be demonstrated. We highlight the importance of glycemic control for prevention as well as the treatment of Bell palsy in diabetic patients.