Post-polio syndrome

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Revision as of 21:28, January 16, 2020 by Kmdenmark (talk | contribs) (added copy)

Post-polio syndrome (PPS, or post-poliomyelitis syndrome or post-polio sequelae) is a condition that affects polio survivors years after their recovery from an initial acute attack of the poliomyelitis virus.[1] It is characterized by new and progressive muscular weakness, pain, and fatigue many years after the occurrence of acute paralytic polio.[2]

Signs and symptoms[edit | edit source]

These include the following:[2][3]

  • Fatigue (both general and muscular)
  • Muscle weakness
  • Muscle pain
  • Gait disturbance
  • Respiratory problems
  • Swallowing problems (dysphagia)
  • Autonomic dysfunction
  • Sleep apnea
  • Flat-back syndrome

Incidence and prevalence[edit | edit source]

The exact incidence and prevalence of postpolio syndrome (PPS) is unknown and statistics vary. Medscape reports the incidence in previous acute polio patients ranges from approximately 22-68%.[2] The NIH estimates that the condition affects 25 to 40 percent of polio survivors.[1] In 1992, a study of former poliomyelitis patients from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania estimates 28.5% of all paralytic polio cases develop PPS.[4] Suggestions have been made that 100% of polio survivors, if tracked for a long period, can develop some symptoms of PPS.[2]

ME/CFS[edit | edit source]

A study in 2019, using the self-reporting questionnaires, DePaul Symptom Questionnaire 2 (DSQ-2) and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), found that participants with ME/CFS were more functionally impaired across symptoms than those with PPS.[5] Additionally, the study found that the three domains that most commonly differentiated ME/CFS from PPS were neurocognitive, post-exertional malaise, and neuroendocrine.[5]

Research studies[edit | edit source]

  • 2019, Differentiating post-polio syndrome from myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome[5] - (Abstract)

See also[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Post-Polio Syndrome Fact Sheet | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke". www.ninds.nih.gov. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Postpolio Syndrome: Practice Essentials, Pathophysiology, Epidemiology". November 14, 2019. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. "Post-Polio Syndrome Information Page | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke". www.ninds.nih.gov. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  4. Ramlow, J.; Alexander, M.; LaPorte, R.; Kaufmann, C.; Kuller, L. (October 1, 1992). "Epidemiology of the Post-Polio Syndrome". American Journal of Epidemiology. 136 (7): 769–786. doi:10.1093/aje/136.7.769. ISSN 0002-9262.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Klebek, Lauren; Sunnquist, Madison; Jason, Leonard A. (October 2, 2019). "Differentiating post-polio syndrome from myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome". Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior. 7 (4): 196–206. doi:10.1080/21641846.2019.1687117. ISSN 2164-1846.