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Deformity not an issue prior to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis diagnosis
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Adolescent scoliosis and deformity may not have much of a real-life impact until the diagnosis is actually made, researchers noted in a recently published study.
The researchers enrolled 1,205 consecutive adolescents, all of whom were referred to a scoliosis clinician, for evaluation before their first visit. The cohort included 928 girls and 277 boys who were categorized into one of five subgroups based on Cobb degree: 0° to 10° Cobb (normal) and 11° to 20°, 21° to 30°, 31° to 40°, and greater than 40° adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
Patients filled out the Scoliosis Research Society 22 Questionnaire (SRS-22), and the results were used to examine the differences between the five subgroups.
Before diagnosis, there was little correlation between deformity and SRS-22 scores. Self-image was affected, but pain was not a real issue in curves greater than 40°, according to the researchers.
The researchers concluded deformity, itself, is not a true issue until the diagnosis is made, the treatment is planned and/or expert physicians interfere with the lives of adolescents. – by Robert Linnehan
Disclosures: Rainoldi reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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