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17 Poliomyelitis and post-polio syndrome: time for a rethink

jnnp · 2025-11-26 · canonical JSON source

10 visible annotations · policy: published · automated confidence ≥ 75.00%

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Introduction Polio is a notifiable infectious disease caused by poliovirus affecting the motor neurons in the central nervous system. An estimated 47,000 people are living with the sequelae of polio in the UK. Up to 30% of poliomyelitis survivors experience post-polio syndrome (PPS): fatigue, muscle pain, weakness, atrophy and functional loss. We assessed the clinical care for polio survivors at our tertiary neuroscience centre.Methods We identified 93 patients through clinical coding, with a diagnosis of poliomyelitis, who attended Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust between 2012 and 2023. 12 patients were excluded due to incomplete information. 81 patients were included for analysis.Results The mean age at current review was 71 years (SD 13.5), with polio diagnosis at mean age of 4.8 years (SD 4.7). 37% of patients were male. 64% White British. Patients reported weakness (16%); fatigue (12%); muscle atrophy (11%); frequent falls (10%); bulbar symptoms (4%). 27% had a diagnosis of PPS. 8% had features that could indicate PPS. The mean mRS score was 3 (SD 1).Conclusions PPS is common in patients affected with poliomyelitis leading to significant disability. There is a need to increase awareness of PPS, reduce delays in diagnosis, and improve timely access to services.amr.tageldin@nhs.net