News

Post-Polio Syndrome Just Aging? Think Again, Say Scientists and Advocates


August 28, 2006 -- A recent study of polio survivors by researchers at the Mayo Clinic has sparked a misinformation wave that has scientists and advocates shaking their heads in disbelief.

The study, “Electrophysiological findings in a cohort of old polio survivors” by Sorenson, Daube and Windebank was recently published in the September issue of Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System.

The study followed a small group of polio survivors for 15 years, measuring the thenar muscle at the base of the thumb and the digitorum brevis muscle on the sole of the foot. The study authors noted that the majority of polio survivors in the study did show a decrease in muscle strength over the 15-year period.

The researchers then compared the results of their study to another separate study of normally-aging individuals. The second study had different methodology and measurements for muscle strength testing but was used as a pseudo-control group to compare the results of the small polio survivor population in their own study. When comparing the two studies, the majority of polio survivors do not appear to have any difference in their decreasing muscle strength compared to their aging peers.

"Taken out of context, this can infer that post-polio syndrome (PPS) does not exist. It can be even interpreted, incorrectly, to mean that people with PPS are no worse off than their similarly aged peers," says virologist and polio researcher Dr. Marcia Falconer. "Taken within the context of the reported data, the statement does not mean any of this."

Unfortunately, some media outlets took this interpretation of the results as an indication of confirmation that post-polio syndrome does not exist and is rather merely normal aging.

When contacted by Polio Canada for comment, researcher and author Dr. Eric Sorenson agreed that his study was “taken out of context.”

This misinterpretation of the study does not reflect at all what the study and over 25 years of research into post-polio syndrome have shown. In fact, the data within the Sorenson study only helps to confirm what many previous epidemiological research studies have shown: that an approximate 25% of polio survivors will develop new muscle weakness, fatigue and pain – a medical condition called post-polio syndrome.

“It is unfortunate that some media outlets chose to report on a study without fully understanding the study methods or results.” says Kimberley Dowds, Associate Director, Polio Canada, a program of March of Dimes Canada. “Misinformation and misunderstanding of post-polio syndrome is our greatest enemy. The good news is that not all polio survivors will develop post-polio syndrome. For those that do, education, counseling and medical treatment are key to maintaining a good quality of life.”

Proper diagnosis of post-polio syndrome is important, says Dowds. “Only a trained neurologist or physiatrist can accurately diagnose post-polio. All other possible causes for their new muscle weakness, fatigue and pain must first be ruled out before post-polio syndrome can be confirmed.”

Polio Canada, a program of March of Dimes Canada, provides polio survivors with a list of qualified specialists who can diagnose and treat post-polio syndrome.

March of Dimes Canada is a nationally registered charitable organization providing support services to people with disabilities, their families and caregivers across Canada.

For more information call 1-800-263-3463 or visit www.marchofdimes.ca.

For media, please contact:

Kimberley Dowds
Associate Director, National Programs
March of Dimes Canada
Tel: 416-425-3463, ext. 7286
Mobile: 647-294-4123
kdowds@marchofdimes.ca