Poliomyelitis: long-time consequences for social life.
In a study of 102 consecutive patients hospitalized for previous poliomyelitis, we found that 70 patients had continued education after elementary school and 18 were academics. This is a higher proportion than in the general Norwegian population. All 14 patients with paraparesis had continued education after elementary school, while as many as 12 of 18 patients with a university degree had widespread pareses in the acute phase. Of the patients 46 worked or had worked full-time up to 60 years of age. Only 29 patients were receiving a disabled pension. Another 9 patients had neither been employed nor received any pension, all housewives. Nine of 14 patients with paraparesis were working full-time, only 2 received disabled pension. Among the 35 patients with persisting widespread pareses, 11 were still in full-time work and 7 were working part-time. The employment rate among the patients in this study was nearly identical to the age-correlated general employment rate in Norway. Our conclusion is that polio patients are doing well in society; they have taken education, are working, and are generally self-supported. The degree of pareses does not seem to have been the most determining factor for their educational and professional activity.
Farbu
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Department of Neurology, University of Bergen, Norway.
Gilhus
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NE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010291:Paresis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012917:Social Adjustment