Health-related quality of life of adolescents conservatively treated for idiopathic scoliosis in Korea: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundYoung adolescents with scoliosis are more likely than adults to experience psychological distress affecting health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Adolescence is a sensitive period of psychological development, and thus physical deformity from scoliosis can negatively affect body image and appearance of adolescents. The present study evaluated HRQoL in young Korean adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis and identified related factors.MethodsOne hundred and ten adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis were recruited from two tertiary hospital outpatient clinics over one year. HRQoL was measured using the Korean version of the Scoliosis Research Society 22 revision (SRS-22r) questionnaire. In addition, participant medical records were reviewed to collect data on severity of scoliosis, type of treatment and age at which they were first diagnosed with the disease.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 14.2 years and 48.2 % were first diagnosed at 9–12 years. Most participants (61.8 %) were under observation to follow up the curvature progression and 20.9 % received regular physiotherapy. Almost half the participants (47.3 %) had mild (10°–25°), 41.8 % moderate (25°–40°), and 10.9 % severe (>40°) scoliosis. The total score of the SRS-22r differed significantly between the groups of age at diagnosis (p = 0.033) and type of treatment (p = 0.025). Self-image, a sub-domain of the SRS 22r, was significantly lower in the severe curve deformity group than in the other groups (p = 0.031).ConclusionsAn earlier age of scoliosis diagnosis and conservative treatment were related to higher HRQoL scores of Korean adolescents with scoliosis. Although the overall HRQoL did not significantly differ by severity of disease, self-image was significantly decreased in adolescents with severe spinal deformity. HRQoL of adolescent patients with idiopathic scoliosis can be affected by several factors that medical staff needs to consider in order to produce the best and most effective treatment outcomes.

The Clinical Effectiveness of School Screening Programme for Idiopathic Scoliosis in Malaysia

“…Idiopathic scoliosis had the prevalence of about 0.4% to 7% amongst adolescents in Asian countries 1 - 12 . In patients with idiopathic scoliosis, earlier detection and diagnosis allows early conservative treatment, which is bracing and this can avoid unnecessary surgery and preserve a higher health-related quality of life scores 13 , 14 . Late detection may lead to higher rates of patient needing surgery and if this condition is left untreated, it can progress to severe scoliosis, which has been shown to affect pulmonary function of patients 14 , 15 .…”

Evaluation of Quality of Life in Patients With Scoliosis Submitted to Conservative Treatment

“…Regarding function, it is important to infer that the physical problem, the pain, and, in more advanced cases, the impairment of pulmonary and cardiac activity are relevant factors that hinder the participation of these individuals in social and physical activities, limiting their daily activities. 2 On the other hand, another study 4 with a similar objective, reported that there was no significant change in relation to the activity/function domain, observing that the study population had a good perception of their activities.…”

“…Referring to the results in the mental health domain, we observed conformity with most of the articles published about the quality of life in patients with scoliosis, there being great concern in this area, since they present feelings that range from unhealthy thoughts to more severe symptoms, such as suicidal thinking. 2,4 However, it is noted that the regular practice of physical activity is a factor for a better state of mental health, resulting in a better quality of life. 12 In addition to improving physical and mental well-being, physical exercises improve the mobility, flexibility, strength, and balance of Table 2.…”

“…14 However, regarding the domain of appearance, there was greater impairment among females, analogous to the results obtained in other investigations. 2,14 A study in Cairo, Egypt, affirmed that the quality of life and body image in adolescents were severely compromised. 14 These data are relevant, since the idea that the spinal deformity can negatively affect body perception and the appearance of scoliosis patients generates distress.…”

Adults With Idiopathic Scoliosis Diagnosed at Youth Experience Similar Physical Activity and Fracture Rate as Controls

“…the magnitude of the Cobb angle, has shown to be associated with quality of life where a larger curve had a negative impact (73). On the contrary, other studies have shown no correlation of the curve size and quality of life (69,74). Furthermore, onset of idiopathic scoliosis (i.e.…”