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. 2015 May-Jun;20(3):153-7.
doi: 10.1155/2015/674354. Epub 2015 Apr 1.

Prevalence and management of back pain in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients: A retrospective study

Jean Théroux, Sylvie Le May, Carole Fortin, Hubert Labelle

Prevalence and management of back pain in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients: A retrospective study

Jean Théroux et al. Pain Res Manag. 2015 May-Jun.

Abstract
in English, French

Background: Back pain (BP) has often been associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), which is a three-dimensional deviation of the vertebral column. In adolescents, chronic pain appears to be a predictor of health care utilization and has a negative impact on physical, psychological and family well-being. In this population, BP tends to be persistent and may be a predictor of BP in adulthood.

Objective: To document the prevalence and management of BP in AIS patients.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of AIS patients who were referred to Sainte-Justine University Teaching Hospital (Montreal, Quebec) from 2006 to 2011 was conducted.

Results: A total of 310 randomly selected charts were reviewed. Nearly one-half of the patients (47.3%) mentioned that they experienced BP, most commonly in the lumbar (19.7%) and thoracic regions (7.7%). The type of BP was documented in only 36% (n=112) of the charts. Pain intensity was specified in only 21% (n=65) of the charts. In approximately 80% (n=248) of the charts, no pain management treatment plan was documented.

Conclusions: The prevalence of BP was moderately high among the present sample of adolescents with AIS. An improved system for documenting BP assessment, type, treatment plan and treatment effectiveness would improve pain management for these patients.

HISTORIQUE :: Les douleurs dorsales (DD) s’associent souvent aux adolescents ayant une scoliose idiopathique (ASI), qui est une déviation tridimensionnelle de la colonne vertébrale. Chez les adolescents, la douleur chronique semble être prédictive de l’utilisation des soins de santé et nuit au bien-être physique, psychologique et familial. Au sein de cette population, la DD a tendance à être persistante et peut être prédictive de DD à l’âge adulte.

OBJECTIF :: Attester la prévalence et la prise en charge de la DD chez les ASI.

MÉTHODOLOGIE :: Les chercheurs ont réalisé une analyse des dossiers d’ASI orientés vers le Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine entre 2006 et 2011.

RÉSULTATS :: Les chercheurs ont analysé 300 dossiers sélectionnés au hasard. Près de la moitié des patients (47,3 %) indiquaient souffrir de DD, surtout dans les régions lombaire (19,7 %) et thoracique (7,7 %). Le type de DD n’était consigné que dans 36 % (n=112) des dossiers, et l’intensité de la douleur, dans 21 % (n=65) des dossiers. Dans environ 80 % (n=248) des dossiers, aucun plan de traitement de la douleur n’était consigné.

CONCLUSIONS :: La prévalence de DD était modérément élevée dans le présent échantillon d’ASI. Un meilleur système pour consigner l’évaluation, le type, le plan de traitement et l’efficacité du traitement de la DD améliorerait la prise en charge de ces patients.

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