Abstract
To determine factors such as age, sex and curve severity in patients with idiopathic scoliosis presenting for the first time to a spine deformity clinic.
A prospective study at a regional spine clinic.
Patients with idiopathic scoliosis presenting for the first time to the scoliosis clinic were entered into a database recording information such as age, symptoms, severity of scoliosis as measured by the Cobb angle (CA), spine rotation measured by Scoliometer, geographical region, person detecting the curve, neurological findings etc. The study period was from June 2008 to September 2009 inclusive.
Fifty consecutive patients with all required information in the database were included in the analysis. All eligible patients were not entered due to logistical reasons.
13 males and 37 females, average age 13.96 (range 1 to 23). 68% were unhappy with the shape of their back, 48% presented with significant pain and 32% had both. The mother first saw the scoliosis in 52%, the rest were seen by either the patient, friends or doctors.
36 were single curves with a mean CA of 34 degrees ranging from 10 to 80 degrees. 52% of patients presented with a curve of 40 degrees or more. 14 had double curves. None of the patients were found to have any abnormal neurological findings.
There are few epidemiological studies in the recent literature. This data was not previously available in our region and initial presentation with a severe curve is a worrying trend which triggered this study.
