Long-standing poliomyelitis and psychological health

Abstract

Objective: To compare the psychological health of the individuals with long-standing poliomyelitis, with or without post-polio syndrome (PPS), to the general population and to identify the role of work as well as other variables with regard to their psychological health. Design: A cross-sectional study. Subjects: One hundred and ninety-five polio patients attending postpolio clinic in Jerusalem. Methods: Emotional distress (ED) was measured using the general health questionnaire (GHQ-12). Demographic, medical, social and functional data were recorded using a specific structured questionnaire. Each polio patient was compared to four age- and sex-matched controls. Results: ED was higher in the polio population as compared to the general population. Within the polio population ED was inversely correlated with work status. No correlation was found between ED and the functional level of polio participants and no difference was found in GHQ score between polio participants with or without post-polio. In addition, ED was less affected by subjective perception of physical health among polio patients as compared to the general population. Conclusions: Long-standing poliomyelitis is associated with decreased psychological health as compared to the general population. Yet, the resilience of polio survivors is manifested by their ability to block further decline of their psychological health in spite of deterioration in their physical health. Work appears as a significant source of resilience in the polio population.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Individuals with long-standing poliomyelitis often suffer from high emotional distress and may benefit from psychotherapy aimed at reducing distress.

• As active employment status is associated with increased mental health among polio survivors, encouraging participation at work needs to be a significant component of psychotherapeutic programs.

• Polio survivors, although physically disabled, may be relatively resilient, as their mental health is less affected by their negative health perception. This and other expressions of resilience may serve as a platform for increasing personal growth among them by implementing hope-oriented psychotherapy.

• Emotional distress
• mental health
• poliomyelitis
• post-polio syndrome
• work

Declaration of interest

This research was supported by the 2011 award of the Post-Polio Health International (PHI) Organization St. Louis, Missouri, USA and the Lawrence and Anita Miller Los Angeles Jewish federation rehabilitation research Fund. The authors declare no conflicts of interests.