Correlation between the incidence and severity of Bell's palsy and seasonal variations in Taiwan
Journal
International Journal of Neuroscience
Journal Volume
123
Journal Issue
7
Pages
459-464
Date Issued
2013
Author(s)
Abstract
Objective: To investigate possible correlations between the incidence and severity of Bell's palsy and seasonal variations in Taiwan. Methods: We studied data on the incidence of Bell's palsy over a 3-year period in Taiwan. The electroneurographic quotient was used as an index for the severity of nerve involvement. A higher electroneurographic quotient indicates less severe disease. Results: Data were collected from 775 patients. We analyzed the data using the chi-square goodness-of-fit test, and the results showed that seasonality was significantly associated with the incidence of Bell's palsy among men, with the incidence increasing during the cold months (p = 0.012). A significant association was evident between age and incidence, with a higher incidence among patients aged 50 years or younger (p = 0.027). By contrast, no significant relationship was found between seasonality and either female sex or older age. No statistical association was found between the degree of nerve involvement and season of onset in patients with Bell's palsy. Conclusion: Bell's palsy increased among men and among younger patients during the cold seasons in Taiwan. No association emerged between the severity of Bell's palsy and the season of onset. Copyright ? 2013 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.
SDGs
Other Subjects
adolescent; adult; age; aged; article; Bell palsy; child; correlation analysis; disease severity; electroneurography; female; human; infant; major clinical study; male; morbidity; preschool child; school child; seasonal variation; sex difference; Taiwan; winter; Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bell Palsy; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Seasons; Severity of Illness Index; Sex Characteristics; Taiwan
Type
journal article