Distress in everyday life in people with poliomyelitis sequelae

The prevalence of distress in aspects of perceived health and its relation to involvement of poliomyelitis sequelae were studied with the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) in 113 outpatients (mean age 57 years). The leisure and employment situation was also recorded. Most distress was found in the NHP dimensions physical mobility, pain and energy, and least distress in social isolation. Most health-related problems were reported in housework, employment and leisure. Three-quarters of the persons were satisfied with their leisure, although many of them had problems. Fifty-nine per cent of the subjects of working age were in gainful employment, and no difference in employment rate due to the distribution of polio involvement was found. In comparison with norm values for the respective age groups, the subjects with poliomyelitis sequelae aged below 45 and 45-65 years had more distress in a larger number of NHP dimensions than older subjects.