Prevalence, risk of progression and quality of life assessment in adolescents undergoing school screening for adolescent idopathic scoliosis

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), progression risk, and quality of life in students aged from 10 to 18 years. 

Patients and Method: Cross-sectional descriptive study in students 10 - 18 years old from 5 communes in Santiago, Chile, between 2015-2016. Adam’s Test was performed and the angle trunk rotation (ATR) at the thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbar levels were measured with a scoliometer. If ATR was ≥ 6°, anteroposterior and lateral radiological images of the spine were taken, and Cobb angle was measured. Scoliosis was confirmed if the Cobb angle was ≥ 10° plus vertebral rotation. Progression factor was calculated with Lonstein and Carlson formula. Quality of life was assessed through spinal deformities questionnaires and the trunk appearance perception scale. 

Results: 1200 students were evaluated, 54.9% were female, and 8.17% had ATR ≥ 6°. We found mild scoliosis in 2.91%, moderate in 0.75% and severe in 0.17%. Total prevalence was 3.83% (CI 95%: 2.74 - 4.92). 82.61% of the cases had a late diagnosis, after their growth spurt. Of the patients with scoliosis, 21.74% had a progression risk ≥ 50%. Quality of life had a positive correlation with scoliosis severity, not statistically significant. 

Conclusions: Prevalence of AIS was 3.83%. Most patients were diagnosed after their growth spurt with high progression risk. Quality of life showed a weak positive correlation with scoliosis severity.