AIS: Natural history & long term treatment effects
PubMed released a paper on the natural history and long term treatment effects for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. Author: Asher MA , Burton DC. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA. Abstract: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a lifetime, probably systemic condition of unknown cause, resulting in a spinal curve or curves of ten degrees or more in about 2.5% of most populations. However, in only about 0.25% does the curve progress to the point that treatment is warranted. Untreated, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis does not increase mortality rate, even though on rare occasions it can progress to the >100 degrees range and cause premature death. The rate of shortness of breath is not increased, although patients with 50 degrees curves at maturity or 80 degrees curves during adulthood are at increased risk of developing shortness of breath. Compared to non-scoliotic controls, most patients with untreated adolescent idiopathic s...