Independent role of hypertension in Bell's palsy: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: In this case-control study, our aim was to check for a possible independent role of hypertension in increasing the risk of developing Bell's palsy.

METHODS

All patients diagnosed as having Bell's palsy referred to a neurology clinic were enrolled as cases. Controls were selected among other patients referred to the same clinic. Data were analyzed using the Stata 8 statistical software package. To detect the independent effect of exposure variables, a multiple logistic regression test was used.

RESULTS

Bivariate analysis showed an increased risk of Bell's palsy for patients with diabetes or hypertension. Logistic regression results stratified for patients younger than 40 years of age and others showed that diabetes was the independent predictor of Bell's palsy in both age groups. Logistic regression results showed that hypertension could not independently predict the occurrence of Bell's palsy among patients younger than 40 years but for older ones it could.

CONCLUSION

Hypertension may increase the risk of Bell's palsy among those aged above 40 years. Researchers should be very cautious when declaring an independent role of hypertension as a cause of Bell's palsy.