A systematic review of the worldwide prevalence of survivors of poliomyelitis reported in 31 studies

Abstract

BackgroundAccurate prevalence figures estimating the number of survivors of poliomyelitis (disease causing acute flaccid paralysis) following poliovirus infection are not available. We aim to undertake a systematic review of all literature concerning the prevalence of survivors of poliomyelitis.MethodsElectronic databases were searched from 1900 up to May 2016 for peer-reviewed studies using a population-based approach witha defined denominator and some form of diagnostic or clinical verification of polio. Exclusion criteria were any prevalence data that were unable to be extracted or calculated and studies reporting on incidence only. The quality of each included study was assessed using an existing tool modified for use in prevalence studies. Average crude prevalence rates were used to calculate worldwide estimates.ResultsThirty-one studies met criteria with 90% of studies conducted in low-income to lower middle-income countries. Significant variability in the prevalence of survivors of poliomyelitis was revealed, in low- income to lower middle-income (15 per 100 000 in Nigeria to 1733 in India) and upper-middle to high-income countries (24 (Japan) to 380 per 100 000 (Brazil). The total combined prevalence of survivors of poliomyelitis for those studies at low to moderate risk of bias ranged from 165 (high-income countries) to 425 (low-income to lower middle-income countries) per 100 000 person-years. Historical lameness surveys of children predominated, with wide variation in case definition and assessment criteria, and limited relevance to current prevalence given the lack of incidence of poliovirus infection in the ensuing years.ConclusionsThese results highlight the need for future epidemiological studies of poliomyelitis to examine nationally representative samples, including all ages and greater focus on high-income countries. Such efforts will improve capacity to provide reliable and more robust worldwide prevalence estimates.

Effects of muscle strengthening and cardiovascular fitness activities for poliomyelitis survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Aerobic interventions within the body function domain were shown to produce significant small-tolarge effects in the non-lower limb, cardiovascular, and mental and sensory components (g ranging from 0.260 to 0.733; all p ≤ 0.01). Data were homogenous for the finding in the non-lower limb (Q( 1 ) = 0.151; p = 0.70; I 2 = 0%), while substantial heterogeneity was found within the cardiovascular and mental and sensory components (both p = 0.01; I 2 ≥ 68%). The effect of aerobic interventions on the lower limb component was not explored, due to an insufficient number of studies ( n = 1).…”

“…Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious, viral disease that affects the nervous system and can cause total paralysis ( 1 ). Based on published records, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates there are 20 million polio survivors worldwide ( 1 ).…”

“…Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious, viral disease that affects the nervous system and can cause total paralysis ( 1 ). Based on published records, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates there are 20 million polio survivors worldwide ( 1 ). Although outbreaks of polio have reduced significantly as a result of vaccination, 15–80% of all polio survivors develop post-polio conditions ( 2 ).…”

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“…There is currently an estimated 9,750 people in New Zealand living with the effects of polio (Jones et al, 2016;Jones et al, 2017). Polio (also called poliomyelitis) is a highly infectious viral disease that devastated communities worldwide in the first half of the 1900s (Smallman-Raynor & Cliff, 2006).…”

Selection of a quality of life instrument for polio survivors in Northwest Nigeria

“…Globally, about 20 million people are living with varying degrees of polio-related disability [ 25 ]. Despite the dearth of accurate statistical information, extant literature suggests that there are approximately 15 polio survivors per 100,000 people in Nigeria [ 34 ]. Although Nigeria has crossed 3 years without a new case of a wild poliovirus, it is yet to be officially declared polio-free by the World Health Organization [ 63 ].…”