Effect of aging on the prognosis of Bell's palsy

A large case study of patients with Bell's palsy was conducted to identify the difference in epidemiologic characteristics and trends according to age and to ascertain whether age is a significant prognostic factor in recovery.

Retrospective study.

Tertiary referral center.

From 1998 to 2011, 1,362 patients diagnosed with Bell's palsy were enrolled in this study. Age-based epidemiologic characteristics, associated diseases and associated symptoms, results of electrophysiologic testing, and impact of age on the final outcome were assessed.

Bell's palsy was much more common in men aged 11 to 40 years, after which, it became more common in women (p = 0.021). The proportions of patients with pain around the ear, hyperacusis, diabetes, and hypertension all increased with age (p < 0.001), but recovery rate did not differ among age groups (p > 0.05). However, we found that final recovery was influenced by lower initial grade, accompanying hypertension and younger age, in that order.

Although younger age were thought to be a major prognostic factor for recovery, the effect of age may be small because recovery rates were similar among age groups.