Epidemiology of the Post-Polio Syndrome

Abstract

A late-onset syndrome, consisting of muscle weakness, muscle pain, and unaccustomed fatigue, has been reported with increasing frequency among former poliomyelitis patients. A population-based cohort of poliomyelitis patients from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, was traced and surveyed to estimate the prevalence and incidence and to identify determinants of the post-polio syndrome. A questionnaire validated in clinical examinations of 40 cohort members was used in the survey. The prevalence of the post-polio syndrome was 28.5% of all paralytic cases (95% confidence interval 24.4-32.6). The risk of post-polio syndrome was significantly higher among patients who sustained substantial permanent impairment after polio and among females. The incidence did not vary with age at acute onset, acute severity, or level of physical activity after recovery. The strongest determinant of post-polio syndrome onset was the length of the interval following the acute illness, with incidence peaking at 30-34 years. Of all cases of post-polio syndrome, 79% reported no major change in impairment status since onset. This study demonstrates that poliomyelitis patients are not equally susceptible to post-polio syndrome within the interval of 30-40 years after the original illness. For syndrome cases, the onset was associated with new neuromuscular symptoms and functional changes but not with major new impairment.

Epidemiological Study and Clinical Characteristics of Poliomyelitis Survivors in Japan

“…We found that 25.7% of polio survivors developed PPS. In the United States, surveys regarding the frequency of PPS development were conducted by Halstead (1985) 1) and Ramlow (1992) 2) . They used the same PPS definition as we did, and reported a 23.4% and 28.5% frequency of PPS development, respectively.…”

“…There have been reports of polio in the United States since the 1980s 1,2) . The frequency of polio manifestations in musculoskeletal disorders is high [3][4][5][6][7][8] , and it is accompanied by various symptoms including respiratory function impairments 9) , dysphagia 10) , sleep disorders 11) , dysuria 12) , and cognitive disorders 13) .…”

The polio vaccine: a critical assessment of its arcane history, efficacy, and long-term health-related consequences

“…Usually there is a full recovery [30][31][32][33][34]. Muscle power begins to return after several days and continues to improve during the next 12-24 months [30][31][32][33][34].…”

Presentation and Impact of Pain in Persons with Post-Polio Syndrome: A Cross-sectional Survey Study

“…Results from various studies have found that the prevalence of joint pain ranges from 42% to 80% (Ramlow et al, 1992), and the prevalence of muscle pain ranges from 38% to 86% (Agre et al, 1989). In a sample of 150 polio survivors, 80% of those surveyed complained of pain (Gawne et al, 2000).…”