French survey of postpolio sequelae. Risk factors study and medical social outcome.

For 10 yr, numerous studies have been conducted to try to explain the further deterioration of the sequelae from a previous, acute poliomyelitis. The different etiologic hypotheses, which have been put forward, have not been confirmed yet. A retrospective study has been completed by mailed questionnaires sent to 360 patients previously affected by acute polio; 248 polio survivors replied. Deterioration, as functional loss especially during walking and exertion, was reported by 77% of our respondents. Among the newly affected cases, 60% have given up or slowed down their socio-professional activities because of these new problems with their health. These functional losses, reported by patients, have been statistically related to several factors: the aging process, weight gain, female predominance and the involvement of abdominal muscles at a previously acute polio stage. The recently affected population has the same degree of disability (measured through the "Functional Independence Measure" (translated in French and self-administered)) as the nonaffected one. This fact suggests that the problems that are being experienced may be partly subjective.