Seasonal Pattern of Bell's Palsy Incidence in a Post-COVID-19 Context

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the seasonal effects on the incidence of Bell's palsy (BP), and to determine whether the rates fluctuate with changing seasons, particularly following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 267 confirmed BP cases between January 2020 and December 2023. Data were collected on the onset dates, demographic information, and seasonal distribution of the cases. Cases were categorized based on their seasonal occurrence to identify trends and variations. Results: The study group included 137 males and 130 females, representing 51.3% and 48.7% of the sample, respectively. The mean age was 45.71±16.11 for males, and 47.51±19.27 years for females, with no significant difference (p=0.408). The overall mean age was 46.58±17.71 years. Although there was no statistically significant difference between seasons (p=0.322), a notable increase in BP incidence was observed in spring (28.8%) and summer (26.6%). The highest number of cases was observed in June and March. No significant difference was found in seasonal variations of BP incidence in terms of age (p=0.691) and gender (p=0.905). Conclusion: Contrary to conventional beliefs associated with BP in colder climates, findings of this study indicate a higher incidence of BP during warmer seasons, particularly in spring and summer. This trend might have been influenced by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. These results underscore the need for comprehensive studies to explore the interplay between environmental factors, viral pandemics such as COVID-19, and BP pathogenesis, potentially leading to better prevention and management strategies.