Post-polio syndrome and total health status in a prospective hospital study

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http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1046/j.1468-1331.2003.00613.x/abs/

European Journal of Neurology Volume 10 Issue 4 Page 407 - July 2003 doi:10.1046/j.1468-1331.2003.00613.x


CME ARTICLE
Post-polio syndrome and total health status in a prospective hospital study
E. Farbu, T. Rekand and N. E. Gilhus
New loss of function among patients with previous polio is frequently reported and has several causes. All patients referred to the Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, for 13 months during 2000-2001 with diagnosis late effects of polio were examined prospectively to identify their symptoms and loss of function. Eighty-five patients aged 47-91 years with mean of 61 years were included. The most common complaints were pain (44%), muscular weakness (27%), and fatigue (16%). Muscular weakness occurred in lower limbs in 75%, in respiratory muscles in only 5%. Walking in stairs was impaired in 72% and outdoor walking in 65%. Seventeen patients (19%) reported no loss of function. Post-polio syndrome was diagnosed in 26% of the patients. Polio-related loss of function including cervical and lumbosacral radiculopathies, mononeuropathies and degenerative joint disease were found in an additional 53%. Eleven patients (13%) had distinct non-polio-related disorders that caused new loss of function. The remaining 8% had a stable condition. In conclusion, the majority of polio patients who seek hospital, experience a new loss of function because of polio-related disorders. A careful neurological examination is necessary to identify the correct diagnosis and treatment.

Received 23 August 2002 Accepted 6 March 2003

Affiliations

Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway

Correspondence

Elisabeth Farbu, Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, N-5021 Bergen, Norway(fax: +47 5597 5165; e-mail: elisabeth.farbu@helse-bergen.no).

To cite this article

Farbu, E, Rekand, T & Gilhus, N. E. (2003)

Post-polio syndrome and total health status in a prospective hospital study.

European Journal of Neurology 10 (4), 407-413.

doi: 10.1046/

j.1468-1331.2003.00613.x

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