Prevalence Study of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis in Ten-, Eleven-Year Olds for 10 Years

Abstract

Purpose: School screening for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) was conducted for 10 years and the prevalence of scoliosis as well as the size and types of curvature were investigated. The outcomes and existing research results were comparatively analyzed and the usefulness of the moire topography as a screening tool was evaluated. Materials and Methods: Moire topography was used in screening of 413,351 10and 11-year-old from 2002 to 2011; simple standing entire spine x-rays of selected examinees were taken. When the Cobb angle was 10° or higher, the condition was deemed to be scoliosis, and the size, location, and types of curvature were recorded. Results: The average prevalence over the 10 years was 0.4% (0.3%-0.5%) and the trends in yearly prevalence did not change significantly. The ratio of boys-to-girls prevalence rates for the 10 years was 1.0:3.8. The rate of those with scoliosis whose curvature was 10°-19°, 20°-29°, and 30°-39° was 71%, 24%, and 4%, respectively. King-Moe type III accounted for the largest portion at 45%, followed by type IV at 35%, type II at 11%, type I at 7%, and type V at 5%. Conclusion: The prevalence of scoliosis in the subjects was similar for the 10 years but differed from previous research results. The size, location, and types of curvature were similar to those reported in previous research. The differences in prevalence from existing research are considered to be due to the screening method used. Therefore, conduction of additional research on effective screening tests is necessary.