[Factors associated with functional recovery in peripheral facial paralysis: the role of the ipsilateral R2 response of the blink reflex, an exploratory study].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Peripheral facial paralysis is a peripheral neurological condition that causes weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles. Functional recovery is variable and can be influenced by multiple factors. The objective was to determine the association between clinical and neurophysiological factors and functional recovery among patients with peripheral facial paralysis attending a military reference center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study was conducted by reviewing medical records. Clinical and demographic variables, as well as neurophysiological parameters (electroneurography and blink reflex), were extracted. Patients were stratified into 2groups according to their functional status: favorable recovery (House-Brackmann I-III) and unfavorable recovery (House-Brackmann IV-VI). Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the functional outcome. A p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were included. Multivariate analysis identified that the absence of the ipsilateral R2 response in the blink reflex was associated with unfavorable functional recovery (B=2.24, P=0.03, OR 9.46, 95% CI: 1.23-72.66).

CONCLUSION: The absence of the ipsilateral R2 response was associated with poor functional recovery, after adjusting for the time since symptom onset at the time of the study. This exploratory study may guide research on the prognostic role of the ipsilateral R2 response in the late functional recovery of individuals with facial paralysis.