Cardiac risk factors in polio survivors.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of dyslipidemia and other risk factors for coronary heart disease in a sample of polio survivors with and without postpoliomyelitis syndrome.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
A multidisciplinary outpatient postpolio clinic.


METHODS
Eighty-eight consecutive symptomatic postpolio patients, 50 women (mean age, 59.0y; range, 36-81y) and 38 men (mean age, 61.2y; range, 44-83y).


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Presence of risk factors for coronary heart disease: clinical atherosclerotic disease, male age >or=45 years or female age >or=55 years, history of hypertension (blood pressure >or=140/90mmHg or on antihypertensive medication), diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) less than 35mg/dL. Obesity (body mass index [BMI], >25kg/m(2)) was assessed as an intervention target. Laboratory values included fasting total cholesterol, HDL, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and glucose.


RESULTS
Of the total sample, 61.3% had dyslipidemia. Average HDL cholesterol ratio was 4.01 (women, 3.68; men, 4.55). Forty-four patients (50%) had a history of hypertension or had elevated blood pressure. Seven patients (8%) had a history of diabetes or had elevated fasting blood glucose (>110). Eighteen patients (20.4%) were smokers or had a history of smoking; 9 continued to smoke and 9 had quit smoking. Twenty-five patients (28.4%) were overweight (BMI, >25kg/m(2)). Forty-one patients (46.5%) had more than 1 risk factor for coronary heart disease. Nine of the total sample (10.2%) had a history of heart disease ranging from atrial fibrillation to angina. Only 19 patients had a previous diagnosis of dyslipidemia and only 12 were on a lipid-lowering medication.


CONCLUSIONS
Polio patients have a high prevalence of dyslipidemia. The study sample supports the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III statements that hypercholesterolemia is underdiagnosed and undertreated. The postpolio population carries a high prevalence of 2 or more coronary heart disease risk factors. Evaluation and rehabilitation of polio patients should include screening for dyslipidemia and education about elimination of controllable risk factors.
Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation, Warm Springs, GA 31830, USA. Acgawne@dol.state.ga.us
Anne C
AC
Gawne
Kimberly R
KR
Wells
Kathy S
KS
Wilson
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016262:Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D015995:Prevalence; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D017741:Survivors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*