NORMAL CONCENTRATIONS OF SERUM INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH-FACTOR-I IN LATE POLIO

A recent study of 10 men with postpolio syndrome indicated a low secre tion of growth hormone (GH) as reflected by serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1). Therefore, 87 patients were studied, 17 to 71 years after acute poliomyelitis, of whom 65% reported the occurrence of new or increased weakness (ie, during the last 2 years) in muscles previou sly affected by polio. Serum IGF-1 concentrations in the patients were compared with those found in a reference population comprising 392 ra ndomly selected individuals. No differences from the reference populat ion values were observed. No correlation was found between IGF-1 conce ntrations and the severity of the original polio affliction, the recov ery status, the need for ambulation aids, or the presence of new sympt oms. The results do not indicate a need for GH substitution treatment of patients with postpolio syndrome. (C) 1995 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medic ine and Rehabilitation