Lung function in post-poliomyelitis syndrome: a cross-sectional study

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.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lira,Claudio Andre Barbosa de, Minozzo,Fabio Carderelli, Sousa,Bolivar Saldanha, Vancini,Rodrigo Luiz, Andrade,Marilia dos Santos, Quadros,Abrahao Augusto Juviniano, Oliveira,Acary Souza Bulle, Silva,Antonio Carlos da
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia 2013
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1806-37132013000400455
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