Prevalence of Bell's palsy in Qena Governorate, Egypt.

Background and purpose: There have been few studies to estimate the prevalence of Bell’s palsy (BP) in Arab countries. A community-based study was conducted to estimate the prevalence, incidence rates, precipitating factors, and outcome of BP in Qena Governorate, Egypt.Subjects and methods: A door-to-door survey was carried out, with random sampling of 10 districts, involving 9303 inhabitants, 51.1% males and 48.9% females. Seventeen subjects were positive in screening questionnaire and referred to Qena University hospital and were subjected to a full clinical examination, House Brackmann’s Facial grading system.Results: In a total population of 9303 individuals, 15 cases were confirmed as having BP giving a prevalence rate (PR) 161/105 for all ages 95%CI (80–243). It was slightly but not significantly higher among women and the rural community. The incidence rate of BP was 107/105. The highest age-specific rate was 40–49 years age. The most frequent precipitating factors for an episode of BP were exposur...