IVIG treatment in post-polio patients: evaluation of responders

The aim of this work is to evaluate the outcome of IVIG treatment in patients with post-polio syndrome (PPS) and to identify responders. The study included 113 PPS patients who had received one IVIG treatment in an open trial, prospective follow-up study. Clinical examination was performed and clinical data were retrieved from medical records. The short form 36 (SF-36), physical activity scale for the elderly (PASE), and the visual analogue scale (VAS) were used as measurements of quality of life, physical activity, and the intensity of pain. Data before treatment and at 6-month follow-up were collected. Analysis was performed in subgroups based on demographic and medical parameters. A statistically significant increase of the SF-36 sub domains bodily pain, vitality, social function, role emotional, and the mental compound score (MCS) was found at the 6-month follow-up. A significant decrease of pain was found in patients who reported pain intensity over VAS of 20 mm, in patients younger than 65 years of age and in patients who had paresis in the lower extremities. A trend was found in patients with PPS as the only diagnosis. IVIG leads to increase of quality of life at 6-month follow-up for SF-36 regarding sub domains of bodily pain, vitality, social function, role emotional, as well as for pain. Age below 65 years, paresis in the lower extremities, and lack of concomitant disorders may be the main indicators for a future identification of responders.