Fatigue, pain and muscle weakness are frequent after Guillain-Barré syndrome and poliomyelitis.
OBJECTIVE
Guillain- Barré syndrome (GBS) and poliomyelitis may cause life-long health problems. We studied fatigue, pain and muscular weakness in both conditions to define possible interactions between these symptoms and their influence on residual disability and daily functioning.


METHODS
We studied 50 patients with previous GBS, 89 patients with a history of poliomyelitis and a reference group of 81 people with similar sex and age and no history of poliomyelitis or GBS using the Fatigue Severity Scale, self-reported pain and muscular weakness Disability Rating Index, and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS-X). We assessed the quality of life using the SF-36 Health Survey.


RESULTS
The mean score on the Fatigue Severity Scale was significantly higher in the GBS and poliomyelitis patients than in the reference group. This was true also in the subgroups of mild disease, i. e., nonparalytic polio and initial Hughes score less than 3 in the GBS group. Thirty-four percent of GBS patients and 63 % of poliomyelitis patients reported pain; 13 % of GBS and 36 % of poliomyelitis patients reported residual muscle weakness. Fatigue, pain, and muscle weakness interacted in both diseases. Perceived health problems influenced all aspects of the quality of life except mental health in both diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
Fatigue, pain, and muscle weakness are common sequelae after GBS and poliomyelitis. The symptoms interact with each other and contribute to long-term disability.
Rekand
Tiina
T
Dept. of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021, Bergen, Norway. trek@helse-bergen.no
Gramstad
Arne
A
Vedeler
Christian A
CA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000150:complications*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult