The Facial Clinimetric Evaluation Scale as a Tool for Quality-of-Life Assessment in Bell’s Palsy | ||
| Minia Journal of Medical Research | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 30 October 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/mjmr.2025.428601.2101 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Aya Hassan Abdelazeem* 1; Shereen Refaat Kamel2; Fatma Ali Mohamed3; Nehal Ibrahim Abbas4; Walaa Fawzy Mohamed3 | ||
| 1rheumatology, Rehabilitation , And Physical Medicine department, Minia University, Egypt | ||
| 2Department of Rehumatology, El-Minia Faculty of Medicine | ||
| 3Department of Rheumatology, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine , Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt | ||
| 4faculty of medicine, Minia university, clinical pathology department | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Facial palsy is a disabling condition that weakens facial muscles, impairing function, appearance, and quality of life. The Facial Clinimetric Evaluation (FaCE) Scale is a validated tool for assessing health-related quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate facial function and quality of life in Bell’s palsy patients using the FaCE scale and to identify clinical and demographic predictors of outcomes. Methods: A prospective follow-up study was conducted at Minia University Hospital, Egypt, enrolling patients within five days of symptom onset. All received standard medical therapy and structured physiotherapy. Outcomes were assessed with the patient-reported FaCE scale and clinician-rated House–Brackmann Grading Scale (HBGS) at baseline and six weeks. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20, applying correlation and multiple linear regression to identify predictors of FaCE outcomes. Results: Thirty-six patients (mean age 37.2 ± 12.6 years; 22 [61.1%] female) were included. Significant improvements were observed in total FaCE and all subdomain scores after treatment (p < 0.001). Correlation analysis revealed that older age and worse HBGS grades were linked to lower total FaCE scores. Regression confirmed age as a negative independent predictor of total FaCE (B = –0.43, p = 0.001), while female gender predict worse social function (B = 2.7, p < 0.001). Duration of palsy was not significant. Conclusion: The FaCE scale effectively captures the subjective burden of Bell’s palsy and complements clinician-based grading. Older patients and those with severe paralysis face worse quality-of-life outcomes, while gender influences social function. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Keywords: Facial palsy; quality of life; FaCE scale | ||
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