Statistical evaluation of effect of anthropometric measurements on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Abstract

Scoliosis is a deformity in which there is sideways curvature to the spine. Curves are often S shaped or C shaped. Most common type is the idiopathic type which occurs in 10-12 years of age and early teens, females are more affected than males while the body is growing fast and the curve is commonly to the right side of the body. It however affect all ages of about 3% of general population. This study was set out to evaluate statistically, the effect of age, gender and anthropometric measurements (such as height, weight and body mass index) to the curve formed using 51 patients from Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja. It was discovered from the analysis that the ailment is common among females than males. The result also shows that the curve is most common to right hand side. The test of hypothesis conducted reveals that the anthropometric measurements of height, weight and body mass index though positively correlated with but do not have significant effect on the Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis curve.