Poliomyelitis sequels in France and the clinical and social needs of survivors: A retrospective study of 200 patients

Abstract Introduction Polio survivors in France are estimated at 50,000. This study aimed at describing their needs from their clinical and vocational conditions. Method A retrospective study of our physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) consultation activity. Results One hundred and fifteen women/85 men, with a mean age of 51 years ± 14.3 (17 to 82). Paralysis involved only one lower limb in 108 patients, the two lower limbs in 56 patients and only one upper limb in 4. At the time of the first consultation 137 patients had experienced functional worsening. The complaints were pain (105 subjects), fatigue (59) and new paresis (58). Only 25% had retired. Post-polio syndrome criteria were present in 46 subjects (23%). Patients who had contracted poliomyelitis in France (56%) differed from the other subjects with regard to age (58.4 versus 41.5), professional status and frequency of PPS (30.9% versus 12.6%). Conclusion These polio survivors were not particularly aged and they had often experienced functional worsening. The evolution of their disease shall represent a public health issue over the decades to come.