Estados secuelares de inicio tardío a la poliomelitis (síndrome postpoliomelítico)

• Autores: Francisco Javier Rodríguez de Rivera
• Localización: Revista española de salud pública, ISSN 1135-5727, ISSN-e 2173-9110, Nº. 100, 2026
• Idioma: español
• Títulos paralelos:
  • Late-onset sequel states of poliomyelitis (postpolyomelitic syndrome)
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo (pdf)
• Resumen
  • español

    FUNDAMENTOS // La poliomielitis sigue siendo un desafío de Salud Pública en países con bajas coberturas vacunales y con brotes de poliovirus derivados de la vacuna. El objetivo de este artículo de revisión fue revisar la evidencia disponible sobre el síndrome postpoliomielítico (SPP), sus bases fisiopatológicas, manifestaciones clínicas, criterios diagnósticos y abordajes terapéuticos actuales.MÉTODOS // Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica narrativa de artículos publicados en PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science y documentos de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, priorizando revisiones sistemáticas, estudios de cohortes y ensayos clínicos entre 1980 y 2024.RESULTADOS // El SPP afecta a entre el 20%-50% de los supervivientes de polio. Se caracteriza por debilidad muscular progresiva, fatiga y dolor, tras décadas de estabili-dad clínica. Su etiología es desconocida; las teorías incluyen degeneración de unidades motoras reinervadas, disfunción neuromuscular, persistencia viral y autoinmunidad. No existen terapias específicas; el manejo es sintomático y multidisciplinar.CONCLUSIONES // El SPP constituye una entidad crónica de alta prevalencia en sobrevivientes de la poliomelitis. El tratamiento actual se centra en rehabilitación, cuidados respiratorios, manejo de la fatiga y apoyo psicológico. Se requieren más investigaciones para desarrollar terapias específicas.

  • English

    BACKGROUND // Poliomyelitis remains a Public Health challenge in countries with low vaccination coverage and outbreaks of vaccine-derived polioviruses. The aim of this paper was to review the current evidence on post-polio syndrome (PPS), including its pathophysiological basis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic criteria, and current thera-peutic approaches.METHODS // A narrative review of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and World Health Organization documents was conducted, prioritizing systematic reviews, cohort studies, and clinical trials published between 1980 and 2024.RESULTS // PPS affects 20-50% of polio survivors. It is characterized by progressive muscle weakness, fatigue, and pain decades after the initial infection. Its etiology remains unclear; proposed mechanisms include degeneration of reinnervated motor units, neuromuscular dysfunction, viral persistence, and autoimmunity. No pathogenetic treatments are available; management is symptomatic and multidisciplinary.CONCLUSIONS // PPS is a chronic condition with high prevalence among poliomyelitis survivors. Current treatment focuses on rehabilitation, respiratory care, fatigue mana-gement, and psychological support. Further research is required to develop specific therapies.

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