Post-poliomyelitis syndrome (PPS) is a common neurological disorder that occurs in a large proportion of individuals who have recovered from paralytic poliomyelitis. The main clinical features are new weakness, muscular fatigability, general fatigue, and pain. The primary criteria necessary for the diagnosis of PPS are a history of paralytic poliomyelitis, partial or complete recovery of neurological function followed by a period of stability (usually several decades), persistent new muscle weakness or abnormal muscle fatigability, and the exclusion of other causes of new symptoms. The cause of PPS remains unclear, but is likely due to a distal degeneration of enlarged post-poliomyelitis motor units. Contributing factors to PPS may be aging (with motor neuron loss), overuse, and disuse. PPS is usually a slowly progressive neuromuscular disease. Although there is no specific treatment for PPS, an interdisciplinary management program can be useful in controlling symptoms.

We determined biopsychosocial correlates of general, physical, and mental fatigue in MS patients, by evaluating the additional contribution of potentially modifiable factors after accounting for non-modifiable disease-related factors. Fifty-three ambulatory MS patients, along with 28 normal controls were recruited for a cross-sectional study. Subjects completed the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) and Fatigue Severity Scale. Potential correlates evaluated were: disease-related factors (disease duration and type, immunomodulating treatment, muscle strength, pain, forced vital capacity (FVC), respiratory muscle strength, body mass index, disability, fibromyalgia), behavioural factors (physical activity, sleep quality) and psychosocial factors (depression, stress, self-efficacy). Multivariate models were calculated for MFI General, Physical, and Mental Fatigue. Age-adjusted multivariate models with non-modifiable factors included the following predictors (P < or = 0.10) of 1) MFI General and Mental Fatigue: none; and 2) MFI Physical Fatigue: FVC and disability. The following potentially modifiable predictors (P < or = 0.10) made an additional contribution to the models 1) MFI General Fatigue: sleep quality, self-efficacy, pain; 2) MFI Physical Fatigue: self-efficacy, physical activity; and 3) MFI Mental Fatigue: stress, self-efficacy. Fatigue in MS is multidimensional. Correlates of general and physical fatigue are disease-related, behavioural and psychosocial factors. Correlates of mental fatigue are psychosocial factors. Potentially modifiable factors account for a considerable portion of fatigue.

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