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Facial palsy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Codeluppi, Luca; Venturelli, Francesco; Rossi, Jessica; Fasano, Antonio; Toschi, Giulia; Pacillo, Francesca; Cavallieri, Francesco; Giorgi Rossi, Paolo; Valzania, Franco.
  • Codeluppi L; Neurology Unit, Neuromotor & Rehabilitation Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
  • Venturelli F; Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
  • Rossi J; Epidemiology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
  • Fasano A; Neurology Unit, Neuromotor & Rehabilitation Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
  • Toschi G; Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
  • Pacillo F; Neurology Department, OCB Hospital, AOU Modena, Modena, Italy.
  • Cavallieri F; Neurology Unit, Neuromotor & Rehabilitation Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
  • Giorgi Rossi P; Neurology Unit, Neuromotor & Rehabilitation Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
  • Valzania F; Neurology Unit, Neuromotor & Rehabilitation Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Brain Behav ; 11(1): e01939, 2021 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-911627
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:

To compare the incidence and clinical features of individuals presenting in emergency rooms (ER) with facial palsy during the Italian COVID-19 outbreak and in the same period of 2019.

METHODS:

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records for all accesses to the six ER in the province of Reggio Emilia, Italy, during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic (27 February-3 May 2020) to identify all cases of diagnosed facial palsy. Clinical information was retrieved for each patient and compared with that of facial palsy cases presenting in 2019.

RESULT:

Between 27 February and 3 May 2020, 38 patients presented to provincial ERs for facial palsy; in 2019, there were 22 cases, for an incidence rate ratio of 1.73 (95% CI 1.02-2.92) for the 2020 cohort. Of the 2020 cohort, eight patients (21%) presented with active or recent symptoms consistent with COVID-19 infection, compared with 2 (9%) in 2019 (p = .299); one was tested and resulted positive for SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, patients were younger (-11 years, p = .037) than those of the previous year and manifested a longer lag (+1.1 days, p = .001) between symptoms onset and ER presentation.

CONCLUSION:

We observed a higher occurrence of facial palsy during the COVID-19 outbreak compared to the same period of the previous year; 21% of patients presenting with facial palsy had active or recent symptoms consistent with SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting an excess risk of facial palsy during or after COVID-19. These patients searched for medical attention later, probably because of the fear of contracting COVID-19 during assistance.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Facial Paralysis / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Long Covid Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged / Young adult Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Brain Behav Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Brb3.1939

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Facial Paralysis / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Long Covid Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged / Young adult Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Brain Behav Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Brb3.1939