Pain and fatigue in persons with postpolio syndrome: independent effects on functioning.
OBJECTIVE
To better understand the importance of pain and fatigue in relation to functioning, and to investigate the role that age plays in these relationships in individuals with postpolio syndrome (PPS).


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Community-based survey.


METHODS
Convenience sample of 446 individuals with PPS.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Physical functioning (Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Functioning item bank items), psychological functioning (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), pain intensity (0-10 numerical rating scale [NRS]), and fatigue (0-10 NRS).


RESULTS
Pain and fatigue make independent contributions to the prediction of physical and psychological functioning. Depression was more severe in the middle-aged (≤64y) group than in the young-old (65-74y) or middle-old to oldest (≥75y) groups, although the associations between pain and fatigue and both physical and psychological functioning are similar across all age cohorts.


CONCLUSIONS
Complaints of pain or fatigue in patients with PPS who are older or elderly should not be attributed "merely" to the process of aging. The findings also support the need for clinical trials to develop and evaluate interventions that may help patients with PPS function better by treating pain and fatigue, as well as the negative effects that these symptoms can have on functioning.
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, 98104-9612, USA. mjensen@uw.edu
Mark P
MP
Jensen
Kevin N
KN
Alschuler
Amanda E
AE
Smith
Aimee M
AM
Verrall
Mark C
MC
Goetz
Ivan R
IR
Molton
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D016262:Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome / Q000150:complications*