Gender differences in quality of life among Bell’s palsy patients: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Functional and psychosocial consequences are reported to be associated with Bell’s palsy. Quality outcomes in bell’s palsy could be influenced by the sociodemographic factors in males and females, but their predicting factors are scantly reported. This study is designed to compare the quality outcomes in males and females with Bell’s palsy. METHODS: Non-probability sampling and a convenient method were used to recruit 196 participants in this cross-sectional study. The study protocol followed the STROBE guidelines and the institutional review board approval for the study was obtained. Participants are screened for eligibility prior to enrollment. The data collection form is used to get the participant characteristics. The facial disability index and World Health Organization Quality of life Brief version (WHO QOL BREF) are used to assess the quality outcomes. RESULTS: Chi-square statistics for the sociodemographic data in males and females were significant for the type of employment (c < 0.001). Unpaired t-test analysis showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in the mean scores of the physical and social components of the facial disability index and physiological, environmental and overall components of WHOQOL BREF indicating that females are affected more than males. Further regression analysis revealed significant association for a higher level of education (b = 2.77, CI = 0.52 to 5.02, P = 0.046) and private employment (b = 4.30, CI = 0.06 to 8.54, P = 0.047) with poor quality outcomes in females. CONCLUSION: Quality of life is affected more in females with Bell’s palsy and the predicting factors are higher levels of education and employment in private organizations. Longer duration of symptoms predicted poor quality in both males and females.