School screening and point prevalence of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in 4000 Norwegian children aged 12 years

Abstract

BackgroundSchool screening for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is discussed. The aim of the present study was to describe the point prevalence of AIS and to evaluate the effectiveness of school screening in 12-year- old children.MethodsCommunity nurses and physical therapists in the Southern Health region of Norway including about 12000 school children aged 12 years were invited to participate. All participating community nurses and physical therapists fulfilled an educational course to improve their knowledge about AIS and learn the screening procedure including the Adam Forward Bending Test and measurement of gibbus using a scoliometer.ResultsSub-regions including 4000 school children participated. The prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis defined as a positive Adam Forward Bending Test, gibbus > 7° and primary major curve on radiographs > 10°, was 0.55%. Five children (0.13%) had a major curve > 20°. Bracing was not indicated in any child; all children were post menarche; four had Risser sign of 4, and one with Risser 1 did not have curve progression > 5° at later follow-up. In one of these 5 children however, the major curve progressed to 45° within 7 months after screening and the girl was operated.ConclusionThe point prevalence of AIS in 12- year old children is in agreement or slightly lower than previous studies. The screening model employed demonstrates acceptable sensitivity and specificity and low referral rates. Screening at the age of 12 years only was not effective for detecting patients with indication for brace treatment.

A study on screening for scoliosis among school children in the age group of 10-14 using a cost effective and an innovative technique

“…13 Among the 1000 school children whose angle of trunk rotation (ATR) was measured, 7 (0.7%) and 10 (1%) had a reading >7 o in the Scoliometer device and App respectively. In this study, it was found that gender did not have any statistically significant association with positive scoliosis findings.…”

Detection of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis among Nepalese Children Through the School Screening Program

“…Scoliometer was used to measure any hump detected during Adams forward bending test. 41,44 Abnormalities involving the trunk or spine (shoulder asymmetry, scapular prominence, pelvic/hip prominence, space between arm and body, head center over the pelvis, any tell tale sign of spinal disease) were recorded. The children with positive forward bending test and scoliometer angle of 5 degrees or more were sent for the radiographic evaluation at the nearby hospital.…”

“…6,7,8,9 Screening at school for the early detection of scoliosis has been introduced and being practiced in many countries. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40] Previous studies have both encouraged 7,8,31,33,37,41 and discouraged routine screening. Opponents to scoliosis screening have focused on concerns about a low predictive value of screening, and the cost effectiveness of referral.…”

School Scoliosis Screening - World Trends and the Problems Encountered in Japan

“…The FBT was always used, and a specially trained nurse assisted in the screening. Sweden is the only Scandinavian country with an ongoing SSS [2,34] .…”

“…After the Moiré topography was introduced, it revealed twice as many cases of scoliosis as did conventional clinical screening, despite many false positive results [36] . However, no specific SSS programs have been successfully implicated [34] .…”