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Facial Nerve Palsy Amid the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Pooled Analysis
Ahmad A Mirza1,2, Abdulaziz H Almalki3, Faisal A Noori4,5
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Facial nerve palsy (FNP) rates significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, COVID-19 vaccination did not show a significant association with increased FNP risk.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Idiopathic facial nerve palsy (FNP) can lead to severe outcomes.
- A potential link between FNP and coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has been suggested.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the incidence of FNP during the COVID-19 pandemic versus pre-pandemic periods.
- To evaluate the risk of FNP in individuals vaccinated against COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
- Searched 7 major scientific databases for relevant English-language research.
- Included studies investigating the association between FNP and COVID-19 or its vaccination.
Main Results:
- The risk of FNP was significantly higher during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period (RR: 1.68).
- A meta-analysis of vaccinated individuals showed a nonsignificant increase in FNP risk (OR: 1.07).
Conclusions:
- FNP incidence markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The rise in FNP rates is unlikely attributable to COVID-19 vaccination.
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