Science Letters

Efficacy and Safety of Corticosteroids in the Prevention of Post Herpetic Neuralgia: A Meta-analysis

Afzaal Ahmed Bin Jameel, Dan LI, Zhi Yin, Zhi Qiang Yin, Dan Luo*

Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guang Zhou Road, 210029, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P. R. China

Abstract

The main objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of corticosteroids in the prevention of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). Randomized control trials comparing corticosteroids versus control therapy (placebo) and corticosteroids plus standard therapy versus control plus standard therapy were included. Multiple databases were searched without any language restriction. Studies were included in accordance with the inclusion-exclusion criteria and were assessed for risk of bias. Eventually, seven studies were considered for qualitative and quantitative analysis and we were able to perform meta-analysis for only two compatible studies (193 subjects). The results showed moderate quality evidence that corticosteroids along with anti-viral agents administered during the acute phase of herpes zoster can prevent post-herpetic neuralgia six months after the onset of rash. Almost all of the studies included in this review evaluated pain severity but differed in the pain evaluation methods. Hence, we could not combine the data in our meta-analysis. There's no significant difference in the risks of serious adverse events associated with corticosteroids in comparison with placebo. Further high-quality studies are required in order to evaluate the efficacy of corticosteroids on both the short-term pain and long-term PHN.