Knowledge of healthcare professionals about poliomyelitis and postpoliomyelitis: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND Postpoliomyelitis syndrome is a clinical condition that can affect poliomyelitis survivors. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to evaluate knowledge of poliomyelitis and postpoliomyelitis syndrome among Brazilian healthcare professionals. DESIGN AND SETTING Cross-sectional study conducted at a Brazilian public higher education institution located in the state of Goiás. METHODS The participants (n = 578) were Brazilian physicians, physical therapists, nurses, nutritionists and psychologists. A self-administered questionnaire (30 questions) was designed to probe knowledge about poliomyelitis and postpoliomyelitis syndrome. From the questionnaire, we created a structured test to objectively evaluate the knowledge of these professionals. The test was composed of 20 questions and was scored over a range from 0 (totally ill-informed) to 20 (totally well-informed). RESULTS In general, the physicians, physical therapists and nurses demonstrated better understanding of poliomyelitis and postpoliomyelitis syndrome. The healthcare professionals who had received previous information about poliomyelitis and postpoliomyelitis syndrome had significantly higher scores than those who had never received information (P < 0.001). On average, this difference was approximately 28.6%. CONCLUSIONS The findings from the present study indicate that there is a critical need for improvement of knowledge about postpoliomyelitis syndrome among Brazilian healthcare professionals. The services provided by these professionals may therefore become compromised. Furthermore, public healthcare initiatives should be implemented to improve knowledge among healthcare professionals

Funcao pulmonar em pessoas com sindrome pos-poliomielite: um estudo transversal

OBJECTIVE:To compare lung function between patients with post-poliomyelitis syndrome and those with sequelae of paralytic poliomyelitis (without any signs or symptoms of post-poliomyelitis syndrome), as well as between patients with post-poliomyelitis syndrome and healthy controls.METHODS:Twenty-nine male participants were assigned to one of three groups: control; poliomyelitis (comprising patients who had had paralytic poliomyelitis but had not developed post-poliomyelitis syndrome); and post-poliomyelitis syndrome. Volunteers underwent lung function measurements (spirometry and respiratory muscle strength assessment). RESULTS:The results of the spirometric assessment revealed no significant differences among the groups except for an approximately 27% lower mean maximal voluntary ventilation in the post-poliomyelitis syndrome group when compared with the control group (p = 0.0127). Nevertheless, the maximal voluntary ventilation values for the post-poliomyelitis group were compared with those for the Brazilian population and were found to be normal. No significant differences were observed in respiratory muscle strength among the groups.CONCLUSIONS:With the exception of lower maximal voluntary ventilation, there was no significant lung function impairment in outpatients diagnosed with post-poliomyelitis syndrome when compared with healthy subjects and with patients with sequelae of poliomyelitis without post-poliomyelitis syndrome. This is an important clinical finding because it shows that patients with post-poliomyelitis syndrome can have preserved lung function.OBJETIVO:Comparar a função pulmonar de pacientes com síndrome pós-poliomielite à de pacientes com sequelas de poliomielite paralítica (sem quaisquer sinais ou sintomas de síndrome pós-poliomielite) e à de sujeitos saudáveis. MÉTODOS:Vinte e nove sujeitos do sexo masculino foram divididos em três grupos: controle, poliomielite (pacientes que sofreram de poliomielite paralítica, mas que não apresentaram síndrome pós-poliomielite) e síndrome pós-poliomielite. Os voluntários foram submetidos a avaliações da função pulmonar (espirometria e avaliação da força muscular respiratória).RESULTADOS:Os resultados da espirometria não revelaram diferenças significantes entre os grupos, à exceção da ventilação voluntária máxima, cuja média no grupo síndrome pós-poliomielite foi aproximadamente 27% mais baixa que no grupo controle (p = 0,0127). No entanto, os valores de ventilação voluntária máxima observados no grupo pós-poliomielite foram comparados aos da população brasileira e se apresentaram dentro da faixa normal. Não foram observadas diferenças significantes entre os grupos no tocante à força muscular respiratória. CONCLUSÕES:À exceção da ventilação voluntária máxima mais baixa, não houve comprometimento significante da função pulmonar em pacientes ambulatoriais com diagnóstico de síndrome pós-poliomielite quando comparados a pacientes com sequelas de poliomielite, mas sem a síndrome pós-poliomielite e a sujeitos saudáveis. Trata-se de um importante achado clínico, pois mostra que pacientes com síndrome pós-poliomielite podem apresentar função pulmonar preservada.Federal University of Goias at JataiMcGill UniversitySanta Casa de São Paulo Faculdade de Ciencias MedicasFederal University of São Paulo Department of PhysiologyFederal University of São Paulo Department of Neurology and NeurosurgeryUNIFESP, Department of PhysiologyUNIFESP, Department of Neurology and NeurosurgerySciEL

Post-polio syndrome: renaissance of poliomyelitis?

Poliomyelitis is an acute and infectious viral disease, transmitted primarily through oral-fecal contact or directly, person to person. Approximately 90% of the individuals infected by the polio virus do not present symptoms; however, the affected individuals can show a variety of symptoms if the virus reaches the bloodstream. In up to 2% of cases, the virus reaches the central nervous system  preferably infecting and destroying the motor neurons, resulting in muscular weakness and acute flaccid paralysis. Despite the expressive reduction in the number of cases, many people live with the consequences of the acute illness, thus representing a burden to the public healthcare systems. Many of these people present new manifestations as signs and symptoms that are called post-polio syndrome. It can be defined and characterized by new neuromuscular symptoms, which occur at least 15 years after a period of clinical and functional stability in patients with previous history of symptomatic poliomyelitis. The signs and symptoms characterizing the post-polio syndrome include new muscular weakness, muscular fatigue and atrophy, pain in joints and muscles, sleep disorders, intolerance to cold, respiratory and swallowing difficulties, and recent weight gain. Therefore, the aim of this review is to present the physiological changes caused by the new manifestation of symptoms in individuals with poliomyelitis