Effect of Aging on the Prognosis of Bell’s Palsy

OBJECTIVES: 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. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. INTERVENTIONS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.