Abstract: Zhang Jing, Xue Qiao, Fan Wen′ge, Wei Mei, Wang Ling, Zhao Jun, Ding Hao, Tao Xiaoyu Department of Dermatology, Changshu No.1 People′s Hospital, Changshu Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Changshu 215500, Jiangsu, China Corresponding author: Fan Wen′ge, Email: fwgqh@sina.com 【Abstract】 Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of combined glucocorticoids on herpes zoster of the head and face in the elderly aged ≥ 60 years. Methods From June 2013 to June 2017, 76 patients with herpes zoster of the head and face were enrolled from the Department of Dermatology of Changshu No.1 People′s Hospital, and randomly and equally divided into glucocorticoid group and conventional treatment group by drawing lots. The patients in the 2 groups were all treated with intravenous penciclovir （0.25 g, twice a day） for 7 days, intravenous mecobalamine （1 ml, once a day） for 7 days, and topical penciclovir cream four times every day, and the patients in the glucocorticoid group were additionally treated with intravenous methylprednisolone sodium succinate （40 mg, once a day） for 5 days. The time to skin lesion improvement and pain relief, incidence of postherpetic neuralgia and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results The time to skin lesion improvement was shorter in the glucocorticoid group than in the conventional treatment group（P < 0.01）. Before the treatment, no significant difference in the numerical rating scale （NRS） score for pain was observed between the 2 groups （P > 0.05）. Seven days after the treatment, the NRS score was significantly lower in the glucocorticoid group than in the conventional treatment group （P < 0.05）, while there was no significant difference between the 2 groups after 30-and 90-day treatment （both P > 0.05）. The incidence rate of postherpetic neuralgia was very low in the 2 groups with no significant difference between them （χ2 = 0.347, P > 0.05）. The 2 groups both showed infrequent and mild adverse reactions. Conclusion Combined glucocorticoids showed marked therapeutic effect and good safety for herpes zoster of the head and face in the elderly.

Key words: Herpes zoster, Glucocorticoids, Treatment outcome, Antiviral agents, Comparative effectiveness research