Post Polio Syndrome - Management & Treatment in Primary

aPPendix 2
QuantiFying the age ProFile
oF the Polio survivor
PoPulation
reFerenCed to january 2006
More than 7,000 members of the Irish public survived infection with
paralytic poliomyelitis. Theoretical studies based on epidemiological
data indicate that up to 60% of these are suffering or will suffer from the
Late Effects of Polio.
Analysis of a sample of the Polio Survivor population drawn from
the membership database of the Post Polio Support Group indicates that
the age spread of the Polio Survivor population is as follows, based on
indicated dates of birth
Date of Birth1 before end 1929 5%
after 1930 and before the end of 1939 16%
after 1940 and before the end of 1949 31%
after 1950 and before the end of 1959 23%
after 1960 and before the end of 1969 3%
after 1970 2%
The size of the Polio Survivor population, based on the above data and
distributing those not replying proportionately throughout, should be as
follows with numbers of those likely to display Post Polio Syndrome
shown in brackets;
1 20% did not state dates of birth. Non traditional Irish surnames predominate with
dates of birth since the mid 1960’s. The Post Polio Support Group data may not reflect
the age distribution of the broad Polio Survivor group.
PPS Mngt and Treat.indb 45 02/07/2007 16:07:52