Prevalence and clinical characteristics of idiopathic scoliosis among adolescents presenting to a tertiary care hospital outpatient department in Karachi

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis among adolescent population and their magnitude of ailment on Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale (WRVAS). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 119 adolescent individuals of both genders from 10−19 years of age. The prevalence, degree of back pain and disease severity were assessed by using self-structured questionnaire, Visual Analogue Scale and WRVAS. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23 and Pearson Chi-square test. Results: A total of 190 participants were enrolled, with a female predominance (61.6%). The mean age was 14.55±2.38 years, height 1.59±0.19 m, and weight 50.62±10.19 kg. The highest mean clinical parameter was lateral flexion (30.98°). Among 190, 50% reported spinal abnormality. A significant association (p=0.003) was found between scoliosis severity and awareness of spinal deformity. Conclusion: This study identifies a considerable prevalence of scoliosis among adolescent population. The study highlights that early detection and combining clinical data with patient-reported outcomes can improve scoliosis diagnosis and treatment in resource-limited adolescent populations.

Keywords

• back pain
• Cobb angle
• posture
• spinal curvature
• Walter Reed Visual Assessment Score (WRVAS)

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