Neuromuscular symptoms in patients with previous poliomyelitis: a New Zealand study.

Eighteen patients with old poliomyelitis were assessed in order to determine the incidence and severity of late complications. Sixty-one percent complained of new weakness, 83% fatigue and 17% muscle pain. After assessment 33% (six patients) were judged to have significant new weakness and muscle fatigue that could not be explained by other causes, and this group may have postpoliomyelitis progressive muscular atrophy or postpolio syndrome. Onset of symptoms was typically about 30 years after the acute illness; new weakness was relatively mild and progression was slow over many years. Clinically and pathologically this disorder is distinct from idiopathic motor neuron disease, and is not life threatening.