Evaluation of serum ischaemia-modified albumin levels in patients with Bell's palsy.

OBJECTIVE

This prospective study aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum ischaemia-modified albumin levels and Bell's palsy severity.

METHODS

The study included 30 patients diagnosed with Bell's palsy and 30 healthy individuals. The patients were separated into three disease severity groups (grades 2, 3 and 4) according to House-Brackmann classification. Blood samples were collected from all participants and the results compared between groups.

RESULTS

Significant differences in serum ischaemia-modified albumin were found between the study and control groups (p < 0.001); values were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group.

CONCLUSION

The significantly higher levels of serum ischaemia-modified albumin in the study group suggest that Bell's palsy pathogenesis is associated with oxidative stress.