Effects of social distancing on the incidence of Bell’s palsy and sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

Background

The aetiology of idiopathic facial nerve palsy (Bell’s palsy, BP) and sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) are not known. It has been proposed that common respiratory tract viruses play a part in the pathophysiology of these diseases.

Objectives

The incidence of many infectious diseases decreased during the lockdown of the society that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated a possible change in the incidence of BP and SSNHL during the lock-down.

Material and Methods

We searched the patient records for all BP and SSNHL cases between 1 Jan 2017 − 31 Aug 2020 at the hospital district of Helsinki and Uusimaa that covers a population of about 1.2 million.

Results

The mean monthly incidence on BP decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic lock-down. No change in the SSNHL incidence was discovered.

Conclusions and Significance

There is reason to speculate that one aetiologic reason for BP are transmittable respiratory tract pathogens.

Chinese Abstract

背景：特发性面神经麻痹（贝尔氏麻痹, BP）和突发性感觉神经性听力损失（SSNHL）的病因尚未知。 有人提出, 常见的呼吸道病毒在这些疾病的病理生理学上起部分作用。

目的：在 COVID-19 大流行时的社会封锁期间, 许多传染病的发病率下降。 我们调查了封锁期间BP 和 SSNHL发病率的可能变化。

材料和方法：我们查阅了赫尔辛基和乌西马医院区的2017 年 1 月 1 日至2020 年 8 月 31 日的所有 BP 和 SSNHL 病例的患者记录。该区覆盖人口约120万。

结果：在 COVID-19 大流行封锁期间, BP 的平均月发病率下降。 没发现 SSNHL 发病率的变化。

结论和意义：有理由推测 BP 的一个病因是传播性呼吸道病原体。

Keywords:

• Aetiology
• Bell’s palsy
• COVID-19
• facial nerve palsy
• facial palsy
• SARS-CoV-2
• sensorineural hearing loss
• upper respiratory infection

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.