Bell’s palsy in pregnancy and puerperium: A prospective study of facial function, quality of life, and depression

Abstract Bell’s palsy can reduce both facial function and quality of life. Pregnancy may also be physically and psychologically challenging. This study investigates patient-reported depression among pregnant and puerperal women with and without Bell’s palsy and if facial palsy specific assessment scales correlate with degree of depression. Thirty-one women with pregnancy-associated Bell’s and 31 women without Bell’s palsy matched by age and gestational week were prospectively included at two University Hospitals, Stockholm, Sweden. Depression was assessed with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Facial Disability Index (FDI), Facial Clinimetric Evaluation (FaCE) scale, and Sunnybrook score were collected in women with Bell’s palsy. Logistic and linear regression were used to analyse associations between Bell’s palsy and EPDS, as well as EPDS and FDI, FaCE, and Sunnybrook, respectively. Mean EDPS did not differ between groups (7.5 vs. 6.6, p = 0.50, one month, 5.9 vs. 6.4, p = 0.64, 12 months). EPDS at one month was correlated to FDI (p = 0.002) and FaCE (p = 0.003) but not at 12 months (p = 0.24 and 0.07, respectively). No correlation was found between EPDS and Sunnybrook. In summary, no association between pregnancy-associated Bell’s palsy and depression was found. Patient-reported function correlated well with depression in pregnancy-associated Bell’s palsy, while physician-reported facial function did not.