Who’s at greatest risk for developing PPS?

Researchers have identified several factors common to patients with post-polio syndrome (PPS). Those factors include:

• Patient was older than age 10 at time of initial infection.

• Patient was hospitalized.

• Patient has history of ventilator use.

• Patient had paralytic involvement in all four limbs.

• Patient had weakness at time of acute polio.

• Patient has survived a long time since acute infection.

• Patient has had a recent weight gain.

• Patient has had pain associated with exercise.

[See: Gawne AC, Halstead LS. Post-polio syndrome: Pathophysiology and clinical management. Critical Reviews in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine 1995; 7: 147-188. For other references on PPS, see box on p. 215.]