Postpolio syndrome: a 5 year follow-up

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to study subjective symptoms, medical and social situation, pulmonary function and physical work capacity during a period of 3 ± 5 years in patients with the postpolio syndrome. We evaluated 68 patients consecutively admitted to our hospital because of postpolio syndrome, and re-evaluated 63 of the same patients 3 ± 5 years later, 43 women and 20 men with mean age 55+10 (1 SD) years at the second evaluation. The patients answered a questionnaire about their subjective symptoms and medical and social situation, and underwent spirometry as well as symptom-limited exercise stress testing. Most patients experienced increasing symptoms and physical disability related to their polio, while the majority reported that their mental health were unchanged or improved. The lung function was in average moderately reduced of restrictive type, and only minor changes were found during the 3 ± 5 years. A pronounced reduction in peak oxygen uptake was seen at the ®rst evaluation, especially in women. At the second examination, peak oxygen uptake was further decreased, especially in men, more than predicted from increasing age. The patients increased their body mass index signi®cantly during the same period. These results indicate that subjective symptoms and physical disability related to polio increased with increasing age in these patients with the post-polio syndrome, and cardiorespiratory deconditioning and weight gain also became increasing problems in most patients. However, the mental status of the patients remained stable or improved, possibly due to our comprehensive re-rehabilitation and educational programme.

Postpolio syndrome: a challenge to the health-care system

“…This is yet another controversial aspect, because, while some authors fail to observe significant differences between polio patients and normal subjects in vital capacity and other functional parameters [27,28], others have described alterations in as many as 42% of patients [29]. Respiratory insufficiency, with episodes of exacerbation that are usually due to benign respiratory infections, seems to be more frequently developed in those patients who have a more serious respiratory involvement during the acute poliomyelitic disease and who, as a result, present with greater residual functional alteration [28,30].…”

“…Respiratory insufficiency, with episodes of exacerbation that are usually due to benign respiratory infections, seems to be more frequently developed in those patients who have a more serious respiratory involvement during the acute poliomyelitic disease and who, as a result, present with greater residual functional alteration [28,30]. Similarly, it has not been established with certainty whether or not lung function is modified over time in PPS patients [27,28].…”

Disability in a 4-year follow-up study of people with post-polio syndrome

“…In a 5-year follow-up study of 63 patients with PPS, physical disability related to the polio disease was found to increase with age, and cardiorespiratory deconditioning and weight gain were regarded as increasing problems (15). However, the patients' mental status remained stable or improved.…”

“…A few other studies have also focused on both functioning and perceived health (15,16). In a 5-year follow-up study of 63 patients with PPS, physical disability related to the polio disease was found to increase with age, and cardiorespiratory deconditioning and weight gain were regarded as increasing problems (15).…”

Epidemiological Study and Clinical Characteristics of Poliomyelitis Survivors in Japan

“…Previous studies have proposed that age at contraction of polio, severity level of paralysis at contraction, severity level of remaining paralysis, degree of recovery of muscles after contraction, years since the contraction of polio, joint or muscle pain during exercise, and weight gain are risk factors of PPS development 21) . In our study, 89.8% of subjects contracted polio before the age of 4, but as in previous reports, no trend was observed.…”