Does the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic really increase the frequency of peripheral facial palsy?

PURPOSE: Publications about increased number of peripheral facial paralysis in the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in the literature. However, these studies comprised of an estimate rather than a broad analysis of exact numbers. In this study, we planned to investigate whether the pandemic really resulted in an increase in facial paralysis cases admitted to the hospital by evaluating the cases who applied to our hospital due to facial paralysis in the COVID-19 pandemic year and in the previous 4 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who applied to our hospital due to facial paralysis between March 2016-February 2017 (Group 1), between March 2017-February 2018 (Group 2), between March 2018-February 2019 (Group 3), between March 2019-February 2020 (Group 4), and between March 2020-February 2021 (Group 5) were investigated and detailed data were noted. RESULTS: 156, 164, 149, 172 and 157 patients were admitted to the hospital due to peripheral facial paralysis in Group 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Of these patients, 155, 164, 145, 169, and 153 were Bell's palsy, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test was positive in only 2 of the 153 patients who were diagnosed in the year of the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the number of peripheral facial paralysis detected during the COVID-19 pandemic was similar to previous years. Very few number of positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test results may have been found incidentally in Bell's palsy patients. Theses stating that SARS-CoV-2 causes peripheral facial paralysis should be supported by laboratory studies and postmortem research.

Depression, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Patients with Cochlear Implant: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: It is known that there is a relationship between hearing loss, which is an important cause of disability, psychological symptoms, and low quality of life. The aim of this study is to evaluate the anxiety, depression levels, and quality of life analysis of adults with postlingual hearing loss and who have undergone cochlear implants and to compare them with the data of subjects who have never had a hearing loss. METHODS: The prospective controlled clinical study included 53 subjects who had cochlear implants and 52 healthy controls in terms of hearing. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Short Form 36 were filled by all subjects to investigate their depression, anxiety, and quality of life levels. RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 42.88 ± 18.04, and 44% (23) were women. There was no significant difference between the study and control groups in terms of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores. Short Form 36 physical role (P = .018) and SF-36 general health (P = .014) in quality of life assessment sub-scores were statistically significantly higher in the study group than in the control group. When the correlation between the time elapsed after surgery and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores and Short Form 36 scores was evaluated, no significance was observed. CONCLUSION: The fact that the patients evaluated after cochlear implant surgery had similar depression and anxiety levels and quality of life as the controls, and even physical role and being significantly better in general health compared to the controls reveal the importance of regaining the hearing ability.