Idiopathic facial paralysis (Bell's palsy) in 167 Ethiopians, with a controlled therapeutic trial in 59 patients
Tekle-Haimanot, R.
Ethiopian Medical Journal 25(1): 23-27
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0014-1755 PMID: 3816766 Document Number: 297134
A prospective study was made of 167 consecutive Ethiopian patients with idiopathic facial paralysis (Bell's palsy) seen at neurological clinics in Addis Ababa during 15 months (1983-1985). Males and young persons aged between 11 and 40 years were predominantly affected. There was no seasonal variation in the incidence of the paralysis. Of the patients, 26% reported having a febrile illness during the 4 weeks before the occurrence of facial paresis. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were found to be important predisposing factors. A controlled trial of steroid treatment carried out in 59 of the patients did not reveal a statistically significant difference between those who received prednisone and their controls on vitamins alone.