Adults with polio are at risk of hip fracture from middle age: A nationwide population-based cohort study

Medical Comorbidities and Complications Associated with Poliomyelitis and Its Sequelae

Survivors of poliomyelitis may experience long-term sequelae that put them at increased risk for injury, pain, cardiovascular deconditioning, and functional decline. Osteoporotic fractures and entrapment neuropathies, in particular, may result in greater impairments in one's mobility and ability to perform activities of daily living. Dysphagia may necessitate the use of compensatory swallow strategies to minimize aspiration risk. Comorbid conditions, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and stroke, are also very prevalent in this population. Risk factor modification, including diet, exercise, and medication compliance, is essential to achieve optimal health and function among survivors of poliomyelitis.

The Risk of Bone Fractures in Post-Poliomyelitis Patients Transitioning to Middle Adulthood

ObjectiveWhile osteoporotic fractures are reported in up to 40% of adults with post-poliomyelitis syndrome (PPS), clinical guidelines regarding bone mineral density (BMD) and indications for treatment are scarce. We investigated the characteristics of PPS patients, focusing on fractures and osteoporosis as the primary outcomes.

METHODS

A cross-sectional retrospective data analysis from medical records of 204 PPS patients regarding their clinical characteristics and long-term outcome, with emphasis on bone metabolism status.

RESULTS

Our cohort included 53% women; mean age was 65 years at study entry and 1.7 years at the diagnosis of acute poliomyelitis. The lower limb was involved in 97.5% of patients, and the BMD in the affected limb tended to be lower than the unaffected, with a mean T-score of -1.64 vs. -1.19, respectively (P = .06). Recurrent falls were documented in 39.2% of patients, and osteoporosis in 20.6%, being more frequent in women (P = .003) and patients with fractures (P = .002). At least one fracture occurred in 52.2% of patients, and more than one in 40.3%. The median age for the first fracture was 57.5 years (range, 30 to 83 years), and most fractures occurred in the affected limb (73.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Underdiagnosis and delayed treatment of osteoporosis in late-adulthood post-poliomyelitis patients underlie the need for comprehensive clinical guidelines to manage these patients, including recommendations on bone health assessment, medical treatment, and their inclusion as a high-risk group for bone fractures.