Epidemiology of bell's palsy in Al-Kharga district, New Valley, Egypt

Objectives: Although, Bell's palsy (BP) is a well known and common condition in the community, its epidemiology is unclear. We aimed to estimate the epidemiology of BP in Al-Kharga district, New Valley Governorate, Egypt. Material and Methods: The present survey was conducted during the second stage of the project study (Epidemiology of Major Neurological Disorders in Al-Kharga district, New Valley Governorate) from 1 June 2006 to 31 May 2008. A total eligible population of 62 583 subjects was screened through a door-to-door survey by three specialists in neurology and 15 social workers. Detailed history of all subjects who had experienced facial paralysis at any point of time in their lives, was recorded through a specific questionnaire and meticulous neurological examination by neurologists. Results: One hundred patients were diagnosed to have BP, yielding a lifetime prevalence rate of 192.18/ 100 000 population aged 8 years and above. Lifetime prevalence rate was significantly higher among females than males (245.81 and 141.73/100 000, respectively), and among rural rather than urban inhabitants (281.14 and 156.63/100 000, respectively). The crude annual incidence rate of BP was significantly higher in the second year of the survey than in the first year (71.11/100 000 and 32.76/100 000, respectively). Male sex (P < 0.05), and facial pain from incomplete recovery (P ≤ 0.01) were predictors for poor BP outcomes. Conclusion: Bell's palsy tends to occur in clusters, with higher incidence rates among females and rural inhabitants. The presence of concomitant facial pain, together with occurrence in male sex carries a poor prognosis. © W. S. Maney & Son Ltd 2013.