Higher Risk of Bell's Palsy Following COVID-19 Vaccination Compared to Infection Alone: Journal 'Oral Diseases'
Higher likelihood of acquiring Bell's palsy "remained robust" even "after adjustments for gender, age, race, and state of diabetes."
A new preprint study published online Thursday in Oral Diseases confirmed COVID-19 vaccination was associated with increased risk for Bell’s palsy (BP), the paralysis of the facial muscles on one side of the face.
The researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients visiting the University of Florida from October 2015 to October 2022.
They focused on those diagnosed with COVID-19, Bell’s palsy, and those who received COVID-19 vaccinations.
Their findings confirm that individuals who received a COVID vaccine were associated with a higher risk of Bell’s palsy.
While COVID infection was “associated with increased risk for Bell’s palsy (OR 3.13, 95% CI 2.73–3.58, p < 0.0001),” COVID vaccination moreso “was associated with increased risk for Bell’s palsy at odds ratio (OR 3.18, 95% CI 2.93–3.45, p < 0.0001),” according to the study.
The authors emphasized how the odds showing vaccination was associated with a higher likelihood of acquiring Bell’s palsy “remained robust” even “after adjustments for gender, age, race, and state of diabetes.”
The disease was reported “dominantly following mRNA [COVID] vaccine administration,” they write, citing a similar study, which also confirmed that “[i]nstances of serious adverse events following COVID-19 vaccinations are continuously pouring in the current scientific literature.”
The current study’s “findings of a large cohort may support other studies that indicate that exposure to the viral antigen or the vaccine may be related to the neurological sequelae of COVID-19,” it reads.
The study authors end their study calling for professionals in the field to “be aware” of the link between Bell’s palsy and COVID and the vaccine:
“Dental professionals should be aware of the potential appearance of BP after COVID-19 infection or vaccination,” they write.
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