Idiopathic Scoliosis in Korean Middle School Students: Prevalence study

Suh, Seong Woo; Hur, Chang Yong; Chae, In Jung; Hong, Jun Seok; Yoo, Jae Chul; Kang, Chang Seok; Wang, Jun Ho

Abstract

PURPOSE
To update and reevaluate the scoliosis prevalence in middle school students in Korea, and correlate those data with past references and other countries general prevalence.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Among the middle schools in Seoul city, forty-five middle schools were randomly selected for screening. Total number of students were 46,428 who were screened for the prevalence of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. There were 24,892 boys and 21,536 girls. Their age ranged from 12 to 15 years. Adams forward bending test and "Scoliometer" (Orthopaedic Systems, Inc, USA) were used to detect and measure the degree of rotation of trunk. Students more than 5 (ATR were assessed subsequently by standardized clinical and radiological examinations.
RESULTS
Using 10 degrees as cut-off points, 465 students were found to have structural idiopathic scoliosis, representing a prevalence of 0.9% overall.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of the scoliosis has not changed from previously estimated rates in Korea, which was about 20 years ago. It nearly approximates with the prevalence of the world wide reported. We also confirmed that it is not necessary to issue a mass screening, considering the cost and effectiveness aspect, due to its low prevalence.