[Post-polyiomyelitis syndrome]

Rev Neurol (Paris). 2004 Feb;160(2):229-33. doi: 10.1016/s0035-3787(04)70896-6.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Postpoliomyelitis syndrome is a clinical syndrome characterized by late progression of symptoms, neuromuscular weakness, fatigue and pain, several (more than 20) Years after acute anterior poliomyelitis. In the United States, where it has been mainly described, frequency is estimated between 20 and 30p.100 in patients with sequelae of poliomyelitis. Although the cause is still unknown, postpoliomyelitis syndrome is likely due to degeneration and dysfunction of terminal axons of enlarged post-polio units, with a possible role of inflammatory reaction driven by persistence of the polio virus. Due to lack of specific therapy, rational therapeutic approaches are symptomatic, including exercise, reassurance and life-strategies for fatigue.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / virology
  • Fatigue / etiology
  • Fatigue / therapy
  • Humans
  • Models, Neurological
  • Motor Neurons / physiology
  • Motor Neurons / virology
  • Muscle Weakness / etiology
  • Pain / etiology
  • Poliovirus / isolation & purification
  • Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome* / epidemiology
  • Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome* / physiopathology
  • Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome* / therapy
  • Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome* / virology