A practical approach to the late effects of Polio
Charlotte Leboeuf

7 HOW COMMON ARE THESE SYMPTOMS?

According to a mail and telephone survey conducted in America, 22% of people who were previously hospitalised for acute polio had developed new symptoms (12). When the same population was surveyed some years later in a study which included an additional neurological and electro-physiologica1 evaluation (11) as many as 65% were reported to experience the late effects of polio. Based on the results from these studies it has been estimated that between 4,000 and 26,000 people in Australia are already experiencing the late effects of polio (10).

• Pain, fatigue and weakness are the most commonly reported new symptoms (between 42% and 87%) according to several surveys and clinical studies (13-16,21).
• Muscle cramps (45%) and muscle twitching (41%) were reported in Mary Westbrook's survey of Australian post-polio support group members (21).
• About 1/3 of study groups reported sensory loss or changes (such sensations are an ability to feel pain, touch etc.) (13,14). This is an unexpected finding as only the motor function is supposed to be affected by the polio virus. One third also experienced sleep disturbances (15,16).
• About 1/4 had respiratory problems (15) and difficulties in eating/ swallowing (13).

© Copyright The Lincolnshire Post-Polio Network 1997 1998 1999 2000

This document comprises an index, introduction and sixteen other sections or subdocuments. Permission for printing copies is granted only on the basis that ALL sections are printed in their entirety and kept together as a single document.

Document preparation: Chris Salter, Original Think-tank, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Document Reference: <URL:http://www.zynet.co.uk/ott/polio/lincolnshire/library/australia/paleop/sectn_07.html>
Created: 30th December 1997
Last modification: 6th June 2000