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. 2024 Mar;12(2):357-365.
doi: 10.1007/s43390-023-00794-8. Epub 2023 Nov 28.

Incidence of back pain from initial presentation to 3 years of follow-up in subjects with untreated adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Kenney Ki Lee Lau  1 , Kenny Yat Hong Kwan  1 , Jason Pui Yin Cheung  1 , Janus Siu Him Wong  1 , Graham Ka Hon Shea  1 , Karlen Ka Pui Law  1 , Kenneth Man Chee Cheung  2   3
Affiliations

Incidence of back pain from initial presentation to 3 years of follow-up in subjects with untreated adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Kenney Ki Lee Lau et al. Spine Deform. 2024 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Although back pain may be present in subjects with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), its natural history is unknown. Therefore, this study evaluated the incidence of back pain in scoliotic adolescents longitudinally.

Methods: This retrospective analysis examined prospectively collected pain subscale data of the Scoliosis Research Society questionnaire between the initial presentation and up to 3 years of follow-up. Consecutive subjects with AIS aged 10-18 at baseline managed by observation within the study period were included. Study subjects with at least one time point of follow-up data were considered. Alternatively, a group with physiotherapy-treated was also included for comparison.

Results: We enrolled 428 subjects under observation. The incidence of back pain among study subjects was 14.7%, 18.8%, and 19.0% for the first year, second year, and third year of follow-up, respectively. Most experienced mild pain (1 out of 5 points) throughout the study. Neither incidence nor intensity of pain significantly differed between subjects under observation and received physiotherapy. Additionally, study subjects with a new onset of back pain had poorer function, self-image, and mental health scores than those without pain.

Conclusion: We investigated the incidence of back pain longitudinally in subjects suffering from AIS. Further validation of the current results is warranted.

Keywords: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis; Back pain; Conservative treatment; Incidence; Natural history.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Schematic flow on the calculation of the incidence
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Flow diagram of participants’ selection
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Back pain between subjects under observation and physiotherapy
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
SRS-22r scores in study subjects with and without back pain
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Major Cobb angle in study subjects with and without back pain
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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