A report of the number of adolescents screened as warranting further investigation for depression and social anxiety in a pre-operative cohort with idiopathic scoliosis

Abstract

IntroductionAdolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a common form of scoliosis, causing rotational deformity of the torso in a teenage population. In AIS this happens at a time of particular psychological development and vulnerability and a link between AIS and mental health problems has been observed. Materials and methodsOver a 6 month period, all patients with AIS aged 10–18 referred to a single spinal deformity centre in the UK were screened for symptoms suggestive of a potential diagnosis of depression and social anxiety. ResultsOf the 33 patients surveyed, 6 (18%) had scores worthy of further assessment for a potential diagnosis of depression and 19 (59%) worthy of further assessment for a potential diagnosis of social anxiety. Discussion and conclusionThis small study supports the notion that there is an association between AIS and mental health issues. These initial findings support the practice of routine mental health screening in AIS.