LACK OF PROGRESSION OF NEUROLOGIC DEFICIT IN SURVIVORS OF PARALYTIC POLIO - A 5-YEAR PROSPECTIVE POPULATION-BASED STUDY

We completed a prospective, population-based cohort study of polio sur vivors in Olmsted County, Minnesota, between 1986 and 1993. We identif ied 50 individuals who had had paralytic polio between 1935 and 1960, as representative of all 300 cases of paralytic polio in the county. W e completed detailed quantitative clinical and electrophysiologic stud ies at entry and after 5 years. These studies demonstrated stable neur omuscular function within the cohort, although 60% of the individuals were symptomatic. In two-thirds of the symptomatic patients, the cause s of their symptoms were unrelated to earlier polio. For the 20% of pa tients who had unexplained muscle pain, perception of weakness, and fa tigue, a mechanical disorder most likely underlies their symptoms.