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Meta-Analysis
. 2024 Sep 28;19(1):585.
doi: 10.1186/s13018-024-05077-0.

The prevalence of scoliosis among adolescents in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Xinlei Fu #  1 , Shilong Meng #  2 , Xiating Huang  1 , Wei Li  2 , Baisheng Ye  2 , Siwen Chen  3
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

The prevalence of scoliosis among adolescents in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Xinlei Fu et al. J Orthop Surg Res. .

Abstract

Background: To systematically evaluate the prevalence of scoliosis in adolescents aged 10-18 years in China, and to provide evidence-based evidence for the early identification, prevention, and management of scoliosis in adolescents.

Methods: We searched 7 databases of CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library from January 2000 to June 2024, and included related studies on scoliosis among Chinese adolescents aged 10-18. The quality evaluation criteria of cross-sectional studies recommended by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) were used for literature quality evaluation. Stata 18.0 software was used for statistical analysis.

Results: We finally included 42 studies, involving a total of 1,149,330 subjects from 30 regions. The results showed that the prevalence of scoliosis in Chinese adolescents aged 10-18 years was 1.2% [95%CI (1.1%, 1.4%)]. The results of the subgroup analyses are as follows: ① The prevalence of scoliosis in adolescent women (1.6%) was higher than that in men (1.0%). ② The prevalence of scoliosis in adolescents aged 16-18 (1.3%) was higher than that in adolescents aged 10-15 (1.1%). ③ By region, the prevalence of scoliosis was slightly higher in the North (1.3%) than that in the South (1.2%). ④ According to the time of publication, the prevalence of scoliosis in Chinese adolescents increased from 0.9% during 2000-2015 to 1.6% during 2016-2024. ⑤ According to the degree of the Cobb angle, the curve magnitude was mainly mild (Cobb angle: 10°-19°), and the prevalence rate was 0.7%; the second was moderate (Cobb angle: 20°-39°), with a prevalence of 0.2%.

Conclusion: The prevalence of scoliosis in adolescents aged 10-18 years in China is 1.2%, suggesting that the prevalence may be gradually increasing in recent years. In addition, the degree of scoliosis is mainly mild, and timely intervention and prevention are necessary.

Keywords: China; Epidemiology; Meta-analysis; Scoliosis; Teenager.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Literature retrieval process diagram
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Meta-analysis Forest figure of the prevalence of scoliosis in adolescents in China
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Sensitivity analysis figure of the prevalence of scoliosis in adolescents in China
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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