Post polio syndrome: an update for the primary health care provider

Post Polio Syndrome, or PPS, is defined as a clinical syndrome of new weakness, fatigue, and pain in people who have previously recovered from acute paralytic poliomyelitis. Other common symptoms include cold intolerance, dysphagia, dyspnea, and overuse syndromes. PPS afflicts an estimated 50% of polio survivors, a population estimated at 1.6 million people, and begins roughly 30 years after the acute disease. The main impact of PPS is on mobility related activities affecting one's daily routine. With an insidious onset, and several differential diagnoses for each symptom, PPS can be difficult to diagnose and to validate. However, once identified, there are treatment plans and many avenues of support for this disabling syndrome. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the pathophysiology of both acute paralytic poliomyelitis as well as PPS. This article also reviews the current literature concerning the etiology and pathophysiology of both poliomyelitis and PPS, symptom evaluation and differential diagnoses, and treatment recommendations. The psychosocial impact and care of the client are also identified, and several resources for support and education of both the client and provider are provided.