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Bell's palsy epidemiology and demographics

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mohamadmostafa Jahansouz M.D.[2]

Overview

The incidence of Bell’s palsy is approximately 30 per 100,000 individuals. The lifetime prevalence of Bell’s palsy was 642.8 cases per 100,000 population age 15 years and above in one study. The incidence of Bell’s palsy increases with age. There is no racial predilection to Bell’s palsy. Bell’s palsy affects men and women equally. The ratio of male to female patients was 48:52 in one study. There is no geographic difference in incidence of Bell’s palsy.

Epidemiology and Demographics

Incidence

  • The incidence of Bell’s palsy is approximately 30 per 100,000 individuals.[1]

Prevalence

  • The lifetime prevalence of Bell’s palsy was 642.8 cases per 100,000 population age 15 years and above in one study.[2]

Age

Race

Gender

  • Bell’s palsy affects men and women equally.
  • The ratio of male to female patients was 48:52 in one study.[1]

Region

There is no geographic difference in incidence of Bell’s palsy.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Yanagihara N (1988). “Incidence of Bell’s palsy”. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol Suppl. 137: 3–4. PMID 3144231.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Savettieri G, Salemi G, Rocca WA, Meneghini F, Santangelo R, Morgante L; et al. (1996). “Incidence and lifetime prevalence of Bell’s palsy in two Sicilian municipalities. Sicilian Neuro-Epidemiologic Study (SNES) Group”. Acta Neurol Scand. 94 (1): 71–5. PMID 8874598.

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