evidence/gaps
Cochrane · systematic review · CD001869

Antiviral treatment for Bell's palsy (idiopathic facial paralysis)

Gagyor, I, Madhok, VB, Daly, F, et al. · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2019 · Cochrane Library

Neuromuscular4 versionsAMSTAR 2: not assessed
SoF tableOnly the outcomes this review put in its Summary of Findings table are listed (the Cochrane Handbook caps them at about seven per comparison). Its other analyses are not shown here.
Questions
3
current version
GRADE rated
3
No studies
0
Included studies
NR
No studies 0 · 0%Ungraded 0 · 0%Very low 1 · 33.3%Low 1 · 33.3%Moderate 1 · 33.3%High 0 · 0%

Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.

Questions and results

Show all 4 versions

Antivirals plus corticosteroids compared to corticosteroids plus placebo or no treatment (AS versus OS) for Bell's palsy (idiopathic facial paralysis)

Population: Bell's palsy (idiopathic facial paralysis)
3 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Incomplete recovery at end of study № of participants: 766 (3 RCTs)
Antivirals plus corticosteroids vs corticosteroids plus placebo or no treatment (AS versus OS)
RR 0.81 [0.38, 1.74]NRLow
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision, inconsistency
Motor synkinesis or crocodile tears № of participants: 469 (2 RCTs)
Antivirals plus corticosteroids vs corticosteroids plus placebo or no treatment (AS versus OS)
RR 0.56 [0.36, 0.87]NRModerate
Downgraded: publication bias
Adverse events № of participants: 656 (2 RCTs)
Antivirals plus corticosteroids vs corticosteroids plus placebo or no treatment (AS versus OS)
RR 1.17 [0.81, 1.68]NRVery low
Downgraded: imprecision, publication bias