This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Race may have an impact on AIS spinal curve magnitude, surgery
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
According to the results of a recently published study, black patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis had great spinal curve magnitudes and higher percentages of spines with curves in the surgical range compared with patients of other races.
The study included 219 self-identified white patients, 86 self-identified black patients, 44 self-identified Hispanic patients and 17 patients self-identified as “other.” Researchers obtained patient data between 2004 and 2009, with patients in the study completing a questionnaire to collect race, age, family income and parent marital status data.
Results showed black patients had a greater mean curve magnitude compared with white patients (33° vs. 28°). Additionally, about 34% of black patients reported with spinal curves in surgical range, compared with 24% of white patients, which was considered statistically significant (P < .05). Curves greater than 40° were considered to be in the range of surgery, according to the researchers.
Black patients opted for surgery more often than white patients for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, 34% vs. 19%. The researchers also noted black patients tended to have more limited insurance plans when compared with patients of other races.
The researchers concluded the differences in spine curves between black and white patients is more due to race differences than socioeconomic status. – by Robert Linnehan
Disclosures: Zavatsky reports receiving consulting fees from DePuy and Biomet. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts