Osteopenia, Osteoporosis Post Polio

Osteopenia, Osteoporosis Post Polio Today poliomyelitisis almost unknown in the developed world but there was a timewhen it epidemic. First recognized in eighteenth century England, there were outbreaks of this disease reported in both Europe and the United States throughout the nineteenth century.

Outbreaks usually occurred in Summer and Fall and the severity of the disease appeared to increase each decade. "In 1952, polio reached a peak in the United States, with more than 21,000 cases of paralytic polio". Source: Emedtv: polio

All this changed with the introduction of a vaccine (IPV) in 1955 which led to a decrease in cases. The introduction of an oral vaccine in 1961 reduced the incidence of infantile paralysis even more.

After years of vaccination campaigns, especially those led by World Health Organization, UNICEF, and The Rotary Foundation polio is found in only a few countries of the world. BUT there are many adults still living who had polio as children and they often experience health problems not shared by many of their peers.

Osteopenia, Osteoporosis Post Polio problems. There have been few studies about bone loss fractures in person who once had polio but the journal European Neurology publisheda study in October 2009 "High Incidence of Osteoporosis and Fractures in an Aging Post-Polio Population" done by researchers at the Department of Rheumatology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin,Ireland.

These researchers said they undertook their study because "Since the polio epidemic in Ireland in the 1950s, most polio survivors are approaching into the 6th and 7th decade of their lives. There is little data about bone density and risk of fractures in these patients. In 2006, we undertook an audit of post-polio patients attending rheumatology and neurology outpatient clinics in a university teaching hospital."

Among the aims of this Osteoporosis Post Polio study was to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis AND of falls and fractures among this group of people.

METHOD: "Over a 6-month period, 50 post-polio patients attending outpatient clinics completed a questionnaire, and subsequently their medical records were reviewed. Demographic data and details of treatment were extracted. The patients underwent a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning to quantify bone mineral density.

Among their findings were: "Based on the bone mineral density data, 28 (56%) of the patients were diagnosed with OP and 20 (40%) had osteopenia, but only 8 (16%) received anti-resorptive therapy*. Of the 19 patients who had a fracture, 14 (74%) had OP and 5 (26%) had osteopenia, of whom only 6 (32%) received anti-resorptive* therapy. Eight out of 9 fractures of the neck of femur occurred in the weaker leg."

At the end of the study, the researchers concluded group for fracture, and thus bone density assessment, review of falls risk and therapeutic intervention should be considered for all patients. Both osteopenia and Osteoporosis are associated with increased fracture risk.

* Anti-resorptive therapy is drug therapy

But for us one of the most important statements is the one saying that 8 out of 9 fractures occured in the weaker leg. This is important.

Certainly anyone who had polio should be screed for Osteopenia, Osteoporosis Post Polio but as importantly persons who had infantile paralysis should ask their physicians forphysical thereapy referral so as to learn 'fall prevention strategies' as well as other strategies for reducing the likelihood of fracture.

In addition persons who had poliomyelitis might want to read the pages about natural treatments - including the ones about natural strontium which appears to makebones denser. See: Osteopenia Osteoporosis Post Polio: Review of Natural treatments to strengthen bones.

Return to Cause of Osteopenia pageto learn about other possible causes of your condition.