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.
Gawne
Anne C
AC
Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation, Warm Springs, GA 31830, USA. Acgawne@dol.state.ga.us
Wells
Kimberly R
KR
Wilson
Kathy S
KS
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*