Pain in persons with post-polio. The Swedish version of the Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI)

Increasing muscular atrophy and joint instability in the post-polio syndrome (PPS) leads to muscle and joint pain. The aim of this study was to describe how persons with post-polio syndrome (PPS) perceive their pain and how the pain affects their everyday lives. The Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI-S) was used together with supplementary questions concerning location and verbal description of the pain. The study group comprised 37 persons with PPS who had had pain for an average of 19 years. Most commonly reported was pain from the joints of the extremities, followed by pain from the lower back. The verbal description suggests that pain is a palpable health problem for this study group. The results of the MPI-S show that women had the most pain and that the younger the persons are, the more the pain involves negative stress experiences. Activities such as outdoor work, social and other activities away from home involve difficulties, according to the results. The study group could manage their pain, experienced social support, and especially women managed to carry out household chores despite their pain. The MPI-S demonstrates acceptable reliability for this study group.