Article

OBJECTIVE: To define and characterize responders and non-responders in a group of
124 patients with post-polio syndrome who received a single treatment with
intravenous immunoglobulin. DESIGN: Open trial, prospective follow-up study.
METHODS: Clinical examination and data from medical records. Short Form 36
(SF-36), Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) and visual analogue scale
(VAS) measured quality of life, physical activity and intensity of pain,
respectively. Data were obtained before treatment and at 6-month follow-up.
RESULTS: Two responder groups were identified with the outcome SF-36 Vitality and
3 with Bodily pain, respectively. Forty-five percent were positive-responders,
identified before treatment by reduced physical function, muscle atrophy in the
lower extremities, higher levels of fatigue and pain, and a VAS pain score above
20. Negative-responders were identified by good physical function and mental
health, lesser muscle atrophy in the lower extremities, and low levels of fatigue
and pain. CONCLUSION: Intravenous immunoglobulin is a biological intervention,
and therefore it is important to be able to identify responders and
non-responders. In order to maximize a positive outcome it is suggested that
patients with a high level of fatigue and/or pain and reduced physical function are selected.

Langue : ANGLAIS