Highlight
- Severe nerve degeneration, assessed by the Nerve Excitability Test (NET), is a strong independent predictor of poor prognosis in Bell’s palsy.
- The interaction between aging and nerve impairment significantly exacerbates recovery outcomes in older adults (≥65 years).
- Older patients exhibit higher rates of comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension, though these alone are not the main drivers of prognosis.
- Early and aggressive intervention is crucial in older patients with severe nerve injury due to diminished nerve regenerative capacity.
