Post-Polio Syndrome and Risk Factors in Korean Polio Survivors: A Baseline Survey by Telephone Interview

Abstract

ObjectiveTo obtain information on the socioeconomic, medical, and functional status of polio survivors, and to use these results as the preliminary data for establishing the middle-aged cohort of polio survivors.MethodsThe subjects were recruited based on the medical records of multiple hospitals and centers. They were assessed through a structured questionnaire over the phone. Post-poliomyelitis syndrome (PPS) was identified according to the specified diagnostic criteria. Differences between polio survivors with or without PPS were evaluated, and the risk factors for PPS were analyzed by the odds ratio (OR).ResultsMajority of polio survivors were middle-aged and mean age was 51.2±8.3 years. A total of 188 out of 313 polio survivors met the adopted criteria for PPS based on the symptoms, yielding a prevalence of 61.6%. Mean interval between acute poliomyelitis and the development of PPS was 38.5±11.6 years. Female gender (OR 1.82; confidence interval [CI] 1.09-3.06), the age at onset of poliomyelitis (OR 1.75; CI 1.05-2.94), the use of orthoses or walking aids (OR 2.46; CI 1.44-4.20), and the history of medical treatment for paralysis, pain or gait disturbance (OR 2.62; CI 1.52-4.51) represented independent risk factors for PPS.ConclusionWe found that the majority of Korean polio survivors entered middle age with many medical, functional, and social problems. Female gender, early age of onset of poliomyelitis, the use of orthoses or walking aids, and the history of medical treatment for paralysis, pain or gait disturbance were identified as the significant risk factors for PPS. A comprehensive and multidisciplinary plan should be prepared to manage polio survivors considering their need for health care services and the risk factors for late effects, such as PPS.

Comparing Symptoms of Post-Polio Syndrome in Athlete and Non-Athlete Poliomyelitis Survivors

“…Similarly, Talebian et al reported 55.66% prevalence for PPS syndrome [8]. In a study on the prevalence of PPS syndrome and its risk factors, Bang et al reported that on average 61.6% of the people with a history of polio show the symptoms of PPS and most of them are middle-aged [7]. Ramlow et al also reported a PPS prevalence of 28.5% [14].…”

“…Body weight-bearing muscles such as leg muscles are involved in this disease more than the other muscles [7]. Generally, PPS is not a life-treating syndrome [1,7].…”

“…Generally, PPS is not a life-treating syndrome [1,7]. The process of emerging the symptoms after polio is totally benign.…”

“…The process of emerging the symptoms after polio is totally benign. The symptoms range from mild weakness to severe weakness, depression, social isolation and dysfunction [7]. According to the evaluations, several comprehensive research studies have been conducted in the developed countries in terms of the disease outbreak and the assessment of secondary symptoms of polio.…”

“…In almost 25% to 50% of the people, PPS returns after treatment. On average, PPS emerges 30-35 years after poliomyelitis, however, this time may varied from 8 to 71 years [7,8]. Muscular weakness4, muscular atrophy5 and pain in the muscles and joints with fatigue are the main symptoms of PPS [7,8].…”