The extent of using mobility assistive devices can partly explain fatigue among persons with late effects of polio - a retrospective registry study in Sweden.

I Santos Tavares Silva,K S Sunnerhagen,C Willén,I Ottenvall Hammar

doi:10.1186/s12883-016-0753-6

I Santos Tavares Silva, K S Sunnerhagen + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-016-0753-6

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Abstract

BackgroundFatigue is reported as one of the most disabling symptoms and is common among persons living with late effects of polio. Although fatigue has been studied in the context of people living with late effects of polio, there is a lack of knowledge concerning the association of fatigue and variables of importance for participation in daily life. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore possible factors associated with fatigue among persons with late effects of polio in Sweden.MethodsThis retrospective registry study consisted of 89 persons with late effects of polio living in Sweden. Fatigue was measured with the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20) scale, Swedish version. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to analyse the correlation between the factors and fatigue, and a multiple linear regression was carried out to explore factors for fatigue.ResultsFatigue statistically significantly correlated with age (r = 0.234, p < 0.05) and the use of mobility assistive devices (r = 0.255, p < 0.05). The multiple linear regression model showed that the factors age (β = 0.304, p < 0.019) and mobility assistive devices (β = 0.262, p < 0.017) were associated with fatigue among persons living with late effects of polio, and the model partly explained 14% of the variation of fatigue.ConclusionsFatigue could partly be explained by the extent of using mobility assistive devices and age. Healthcare professionals should provide and demonstrate the importance of assistive devices to ensure management of fatigue in persons living with late effects of polio.

Highlights

Fatigue is reported as one of the most disabling symptoms and is common among persons living with late effects of polio
According to Gawne and Halstead [10], the specific criteria for postpolio syndrome (PPS) are: a prior episode of paralysis confirmed by history, physical exam, and findings on an electromyogram (EMG); a period of neurological recovery followed by an extended interval of neurological and functional stability, usually lasting 20 years or more; and a gradual or abrupt onset of new neurogenic, non-disuse weakness in previously affected and/ or unaffected muscles
More than half of the participants used no mobility walking devices (66%), and among the participants who used mobility assistive devices, the use of assistive devices ranged from walking with crutches, cane and/or walker to using a wheelchair (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

Fatigue is reported as one of the most disabling symptoms and is common among persons living with late effects of polio. About 60–85% of persons living with late effects of polio face recurrence of the original polio related manifestations as well as new symptoms, suggesting new Santos Tavares Silva et al BMC Neurology (2016) 16:230 health problems [9] This state is usually named postpolio syndrome (PPS). According to Gawne and Halstead [10], the specific criteria for PPS are: a prior episode of paralysis confirmed by history, physical exam, and findings on an electromyogram (EMG); a period of neurological recovery followed by an extended interval of neurological and functional stability, usually lasting 20 years or more; and a gradual or abrupt onset of new neurogenic, non-disuse weakness in previously affected and/ or unaffected muscles These symptoms may or may not be accompanied by other new health problems, such as excessive fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, decreased endurance, decreased function, and atrophy. Medical and orthopaedic conditions that might cause the health problems mentioned above must be excluded [10]

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