A number of factors may impact the quality of life of a patient with facial palsy.
Patient selection: facial palsy
Factors impacting the patient's quality of life associated with the palsy:
(1) severity of the facial palsy
(2) duration of the palsy
(3) cause (worse with viral etiology compared to congenital or malignant cause)
(4) bilateral palsy
(5) previous treatment and/or radiation therapy
(6) chronic pain
Patient-related factors that may impact the quality of life:
(1) obesity
(2) anxiety and/or depression
(3) female gender
(4) older age
Another factor may be the occupation of the patient. A person whose appearance is more important may be bothered than a recluse.
