Corticosteroids for treating nerve damage in leprosy. (Protocol)

van Veen, N.H., Nicholls, P.G., Smith, W.C.S. and Richardus, J.H. (2007) Corticosteroids for treating nerve damage in leprosy. (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 4 (CD005491). (doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005491).

Record type: Article

Abstract

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows:

The objective of this review is to examine systematically the effects of corticosteroid interventions for treating nerve damage in leprosy.

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More information

Published date: April 2007

Additional Information: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease. Leprosy bacteria cause damage to skin and peripheral nerves which can result in nerve function impairment and disability. Corticosteroids, especially prednisolone, are commonly used for treating nerve damage although their long-term effect is uncertain. Three randomised controlled trials were included in the review. Two of the included trials compared prednisolone with placebo. One trial treated mild sensory impairment of less than six months duration and the other trial treated nerve function impairment of 6 to 24 months duration. Twelve months after the start of treatment, there was no significant difference in nerve function improvement between people treated with prednisolone or with placebo. The third trial compared three corticosteroid regimens for severe type 1 reactions 12 months from the start of treatment. After 12 months, significantly more individuals on a 3-month course of prednisolone required extra corticosteroids compared to the groups with a high-dose and low-dose regimen of five months duration. Diabetes and peptic or infected ulcer were sometimes reported as serious adverse events, but did not occur significantly more often in corticosteroid than placebo groups.

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