Analysis of Patient and Parent Assessment of Deformity in Idiopathic Scoliosis Using the Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale

Abstract

Increasing scores of the WRVAS are strongly correlated with curve magnitude lending construct validity to this type of assessment tool. Patients with "surgery recommended" report more visible deformity on the scale than observed, braced, and postoperative patients, supporting the hypothesis that surgery improves the perceived appearance. Parents perceive more deformity of the ribs and shoulders more than did the patients, but other aspects of the deformity are identified equally. WRVAS scores correlate significantly with curve magnitude and treatment. Parents and patients have similar scores, but with parents perceiving more deformity of the ribs and shoulders than patients.

Does patient perception of shoulder balance correlate with clinical balance?

“…On the other hand, we detected a clear correlation (r = 0.55) between SAQ item 6 and the radiological magnitude of the scoliosis. These results are similar to those reported for the Walter-Reed Visual Assessment Scale, a precursor instrument of the SAQ [25]. Bagó et al [26], analyzing the relationship between WRVAS drawings (identical to those from SAQ) and corresponding radiological deformity, found no correlation between item 6, which assesses ShB, and radiological balance.…”

Discrepancy between radiographic shoulder balance and cosmetic shoulder balance in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients with double thoracic curve

“…The cosmesis of the back and shoulders is of great importance to the adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis and their family [1,2,10,19,21]. Raso et al [19] showed that the shoulder balance plays an important role in the cosmesis of AIS patients.…”

Suicide Risk Assessment in Hospitals

“…14,15 Nominal group technique is a facilitated, structured group process to build consensus. It typically consists of 3 phases: problem identification, solution generation, and prioritizing of next steps.…”