Quality of life in adolescents with IS

By -
ScoliosisJournal published a new article regarding the determination of quality of life in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis subjected to conservative treatment.

Authors: Angelo G Aulisa, Vincenzo Guzzanti, Carlo Perisano, Emanuele Marzetti, Alessandro Specchia, Marco Giordano and Lorenzo Aulisa

Introduction and objectives. Physical deformities caused by adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) coupled with conservative treatment of AIS with orthesis unavoidably impacts on patients' quality of life (QoL). The present study aimed at evaluating the QoL in patients affected by AIS treated with brace. The study also sought to determine the ability of different QoL questionnaires to monitor QoL over the course of treatment. Materials and Methods. Data were collected in 108 consecutive patients (96 females, 16 males) affected by AIS admitted to the outpatient orthopaedic clinic of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome (Italy). Patients were subjected to full-time (i.e., 22 hrs per day) conservative treatment with the progressive action short brace (PASB), the Lyon brace or a combination of PASB + Lyon brace. Three instruments were used for QoL determination: the Scoliosis Research Society 22 (SRS-22), Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire (BSSQ) and the Brace Questionnaire (BrQ).

Results
A significant correlation was detected among the 3 scores (p<0.001). The BrQ possesses a higher capacity to detect changes in QoL in relation to the patient gender, type of brace, curve severity at baseline and at the completion of treatment, and curve type. Overall, boys displayed a higher QoL than girls. In all 3 questionnaires, higher QoL scores were determined in patients treated with the PASB compared with those using the Lyon brace. QoL scores were significantly correlated with the curve severity. Higher QoL scores were obtained by participants with thoraco-lumbar curves as compared with those with other curves.

Conclusions
The 3 questionnaires are effective in capturing changes in QoL in AIS patients subjected to conservative treatment. However, the BrQ possesses a higher discriminatory capacity compared with the other questionnaires tested. PASB-based treatment is associated with better QoL than the Lyon bracing.

Download the full PDF on this article about the determination of quality of life in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis subjected to conservative treatment.

Popular posts from this blog

Posterior Asymmetry & Idiopathic Scoliosis

By -
I have removed some of the medical jargon that comes with these studies to enable us to try and understand more, I have offered the option of downloading the PDF at the bottom of the page for those who wish to read all the study. Study Key Points: Posterior Basicranium (PBA), divided in 2 parts joined to the foramen magnum, presents a torque in Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) PBA torque reflects cerebellar asymmetry in IS. PBA torque induces spatial asymmetry of the vestibular system and specially, of the otolithic system, with potential consequences on vestibular function and posture in IS. Study Abstract PBA asymmetry and idiopathic scoliosis Study design Are there neuro-anatomical abnormalities associated with idiopathic scoliosis (IS) Posterior Basicranium (PBA) reflects cerebellum growth and contains vestibular organs, two structures suspected to be involved in scoliosis. Objective The aim of this study was to compare posterior basicranium asymmetry (PBA) in Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) an
Read more

Ugly Betty star Wilhelmina has Scoliosis

By -
Image
Ugly Betty star Vanessa Williams has Scoliosis. Before Vanessa became a famous star through her seasons of Ugly Betty she was to be a dancer. Vanessa was recently nominated for an Emmy for the 2nd time for her role as the wicked diva Wilhelmina Slater in Ugly Betty. For those of you who have not heard of Ugly Betty, it is an ABS comedy hit show dedicated to Mode magazine and the world of fashion. Vanessa Williams wanted to be a professional dander with the Joffrey Ballet until those plans were cut short by Scoliosis. (curvature of the spine) Vanessa is reported to have said "It derailed me for a while,". "It was so severe I had to have a spinal fusion where they put 8-inch metal rods and screws in my spine. I just took off one year where I didn't do any physical activity. But then, of course, I was terrified. It's so strange … It felt like having an operation and then healing and going back to your real body. It was really like having a new center of gravity and
Read more

Scoliosis in India

By -
I have been approached via my website from someone in India who needs help finding a surgeon. I do not have much knowledge on surgeons for Scoliosis in India and would really like to help this person, I decided to write a blog post and see if I can attract the attention of anyone who would have good advice on surgeons in India, where she should go for surgery in India and who would be recommended in India to perform the surgery. Personally, I would have thought that Deli would have a good selection of top spine surgeons who could help this lady who has a 59º curve, surgery is considered when a spinal curvature peaks over 50º, I do know that many Indian back specialists train in the UK, some stay and work in the UK and others go back to India and work there. Perhaps there is a surgeon in the USA that is doing pro bono work, I have heard of many top USA surgeons going to other countries and performing surgeries on people who desperately need help. If anyone has any advice or suggestions,
Read more