Psychosocial Difficulties in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Body Image, Eating Behaviors, and Mood Disorders

Abstract

Objective: To examine the recent literature on psychologic comorbidities prevalent in youth living with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS)-including body image, eating behaviors, and mood disorders-to improve patient outcomes.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was performed using the PubMed database. Eligible studies were extracted based on defined inclusion criteria, and the effects of AIS on psychologic comorbidities were evaluated. Studies were categorized and analyzed based on 3 recurrent themes: body image, eating behaviors, and mood.

Results: Body image presents the most important link between psychosocial difficulties and AIS. Self-reported body image is a significant factor for successful treatment outcomes in AIS. As such, specific patient-reported outcome measures have recently been developed and validated to aid in the treatment of AIS. Although patients with AIS consistently demonstrate altered anthropometry compared with their healthy counterparts, links between these factors and pathologic behaviors, such as abnormal fear of gaining weight or disordered eating, are not clear. Equally unclear is the association between AIS and altered moods, notably depression and anxiety, because of the wide variety of disparate instruments used to measure mood disorders in patients with AIS.

Conclusions: Patients with AIS undergoing treatment often face psychosocial difficulties. Together, the current literature points to a growing understanding and appreciation of the psychosocial aspects of AIS, but a clear need for more study is needed to optimize treatment of these patients.

Keywords: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis; Body image; Eating disorders; Mood disorders; Quality of life.