Factors Associated with Reduced Quality of Life in Polio Survivors in Korea

PLoS One. 2015 Jun 29;10(6):e0130448. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130448. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess health-related quality of life in polio survivors (PS) compared with that in the general population in Korea. Polio survivors (n = 120) from outpatient clinics at two hospitals, healthy controls (HC, n = 121) and members of the general population with activity limitations (AL, n = 121) recruited through a proportional-allocation, systematic sampling strategy from the Fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were surveyed with self-rated health-related quality of life (Euro QoL five-dimensions). The proportion of participants who reported problems in mobility, usual activity, and symptoms of anxiety/depression were higher in the PS group compared with the HC and AL groups. There was no significant difference in the self-care dimension across the groups. Polio-specific questionnaire, pain, depression, fatigue, Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) were assessed in the PS group. Those with post-poliomyelitis syndrome had greater problems in mobility, usual activity, and depression/anxiety. Polio survivors, especially those with more pain and fatigue symptoms, and those who did not have access to medical services had poorer health-related quality of life. These findings afford useful information for potential intervention improving quality of life in polio survivors.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anxiety / complications
  • Data Collection
  • Depression / complications
  • Fatigue / complications
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Poliomyelitis / psychology*
  • Poliomyelitis / therapy*
  • Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome / psychology*
  • Quality of Life*
  • Republic of Korea
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Survivors / psychology*

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Rehabilitation Center’s R&D Program (grant 2012302) and the Dr. Chung Gi Lee Research Fund by Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine.