Former poliomyelitis as a health and socioeconomic factor. A paired sibling study

Abstract

Eighty former poliomyelitis patients and the sibling nearest in age and of same sex were examined with matched-pair analysis to evaluate the effect of previous poliomyelitis (polio) on social factors and general health. Fifty-four pairs with women (68 %), and 26 pairs with men (32 %) with a mean age 60.4 years were included. Data were collected by questionnaire. There was no significant difference in length of education between patients and siblings (categories < 8 years, 8-12 years, and > 12 years). Employment rate at age 40 years was 78 % for patients and 88 % for siblings (full-time or part-time); this difference was not significant. Educational options were considered to have been excellent by 38 % of the patients and 26 % of the siblings (not significant), with a fair agreement within the pairs (kappa=0.31). There was no significant difference regarding professional options; rated as excellent by 33 % of patients, and 28 % of siblings, with a fair agreement (kappa=0.25) also for this issue. Perception of general health today expressed on a horizontal VAS-scale (0-10) was significantly lower among the patients than the siblings, mean values of 5.8 and 6.8 (P < 0.001) respectively. Patients also reported a lower quality of life (P=0.03), and less energy for leisure activities (P=0.008). Post polio symptoms like muscular and articular pain, and abnormal tiredness were more common among patients than siblings, whereas there was no difference regarding coexisting illness. In conclusion, polio patients and their siblings reckoned their educational and professional options to have been at the same level. The patients were well educated and employed to the same degree up to the age of 40 years, but now at a higher age reported reduced general health.