Synergistic Impact of Age and Nerve Degeneration on Bell’s Palsy Recovery: Clinical Implications

Highlight

• Severe nerve degeneration, assessed by the Nerve Excitability Test (NET), is a strong independent predictor of poor prognosis in Bell’s palsy.
• The interaction between aging and nerve impairment significantly exacerbates recovery outcomes in older adults (≥65 years).
• Older patients exhibit higher rates of comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension, though these alone are not the main drivers of prognosis.
• Early and aggressive intervention is crucial in older patients with severe nerve injury due to diminished nerve regenerative capacity.

Study Background and Disease Burden