Risk for depression and anxiety in patients with facial palsy based on population-based data from Korea

Background: Several studies point out the association of facial palsy with psychiatric distress such as depression and anxiety. However, there have been few studies on this association based on population-based data. Objectives: To investigate the risk for depression and anxiety disorders in patients with Bell’s palsy and in those with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Materials and methods: This retrospective study included data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service National Sample Cohort. From 2006 to 2015, patients with Bell’s palsy and those with Ramsay Hunt syndrome were defined using diagnostic and medication claim codes. Patients with depression or anxiety were defined using diagnostic and medication claim codes. Occurrences of depression and anxiety were included in analyses. Results: There were significantly higher risks for depressive and anxiety disorders in the group of patients with Bell’s palsy than in the control group, as well as in the group of patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome than in the control group. Conclusions and significance: There were significantly higher risks for depression and anxiety in patients with facial palsy including Bell’s palsy and Ramsay Hunt syndrome based on population-based data from Korea.