title: French survey of postpolio sequelae. Risk factors study and medical social outcome.
abstract: For 10 yr, numerous studies have been conducted to try to explain the further deterioration of the sequelae from a previous, acute poliomyelitis. The different etiologic hypotheses, which have been put forward, have not been confirmed yet. A retrospective study has been completed by mailed questionnaires sent to 360 patients previously affected by acute polio; 248 polio survivors replied. Deterioration, as functional loss especially during walking and exertion, was reported by 77% of our respondents. Among the newly affected cases, 60% have given up or slowed down their socio-professional activities because of these new problems with their health. These functional losses, reported by patients, have been statistically related to several factors: the aging process, weight gain, female predominance and the involvement of abdominal muscles at a previously acute polio stage. The recently affected population has the same degree of disability (measured through the "Functional Independence Measure" (translated in French and self-administered)) as the nonaffected one. This fact suggests that the problems that are being experienced may be partly subjective.
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité 215, Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, Garches, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Diard
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Ravaud
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Held
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016262:Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires