Evaluation of the Quality of Life, Physical and Psychological Function in Patients with Post-Polio Syndrome

Abstract

Backgrounds and Objectives: Acute poliomyelitis is now an uncommon disease but its long term morbidities are still a challenge. Post polio syndrome includes new neuromuscular symptoms that polio survivors are often confronted with several years after acute polio. The purpose of this study was to assess quality of life, and physical and psychological function in persons with postpolio syndrome (PPS). Materials and Methods: 204 subjects with history of poliomyelitis were recruited in this cross sectional study. Finally, 52 people affected by post polio syndrome were compared with 50 healthy people (as control group) regarding the quality of life, and physical and psychological function. Utilized assessment instruments were: 36-Item Short Form Health survey (SF-36) and its two physical functioning and mental health subscales, visual analogue scale, fatigue severity scale and muscle manual muscle testing. The data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation, Independent t test, Kruskal-Wallis test and multivariate regression test. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Results: The mean age of patients in this study was 41.65±8.74. Comparing the patients with control group revealed that the patients reported a poorer quality of life, and physical and psychological function. Multivariate analyses identified that physical function was affected by muscle weakness, while psychological function was affected by pain and fatigue. Conclusion: Quality of life, and physical and psychological function of people with PPS were reduced. These patients need support from multidisciplinary teams to cope with new neuromuscular problems.