Article

OBJECTIVES: To describe the functional course over 5 years in patients aged 45 to
85 years with late-onset sequelae of poliomyelitis (LOSP) and to explore the
impact of age and comorbidity. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study with 5
measurements over 5 years. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects
with LOSP (N=168). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: FIM,
Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form health survey for physical functioning
subscale (SF-36-PF), walking test, isokinetic quadriceps strength, and cumulative
illness rating scale (CIRS) for comorbidity. RESULTS: The FIM score (mean
baseline +/- SD, 121+/-4) and SF-36-PF (mean baseline +/- SD, 39.5+/-24)
decreased 2.2 and 3.7 points, respectively, over 5 years independent of age. The
distance walked in 2 minutes (mean baseline +/- SD, 126.2+/-34m) decreased 4.5m,
quadriceps strength (mean baseline +/- SD, 88.0+/-42.2Nm) declined 7Nm (8%), and
CIRS (median baseline=6; range, 0-21) increased 1.5 points. A higher CIRS score
was correlated with a lower FIM score and faster decrease in the FIM. A
longitudinal model of factors associated with the FIM included sex, age, leg
strength sum-score, arm strength sum-score, and CIRS score. The interaction of
CIRS and leg strength sum-score with follow-up time was significant. A model of
factors associated with SF-36-PF included sex, age, leg strength sum-score, and
CIRS score. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a reduction in muscle strength, disability
increased little in patients with LOSP. Increased age and comorbidity has a
negative effect on disability. Comorbidity and the severity of leg paresis
affected the course of functional independence but not the course of perceived
physical functioning.
CI - Copyright 2010 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS