J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  2004 Dec;11(4):246-252.

Epidemiologic study of lumbar scoliosis with plain abdominal X-ray

• Kim JH
• Suk SI
• Chung ER
• Kim SS
• Park SJ
• Oh YM
• Choi JY

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cross-sectional study
OBJECTIVES
To analyze the prevalence and characteristics of lumbar scoliosis using plain abdominal X-rays, according to age. LITERATURE REVIEW SUMMARY: The single lumbar curves of adolescents have shown 10 ~20% idiopathic scoliosis, but the reported prevalence of adult lumbar scoliosis ranges from 2.5 to 7.5%. In Korea, there is no useful basic data concerning lumbar scoliosis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 2877 plain abdominal radiographies (supine and erect), taken at our hospital, between August 2001 and June 2002, were retrospectively investigated. The ages of the patients ranged from 11 to 80 years, and the patients were grouped according to age. The prevalence, Cobb angle, ratio of males and females, ratio of right and left curves, location of end and apex vertebra, the number of involved vertebra in primary curve, amount of rotation and osteophytes were all examined.
RESULTS
The overall prevalence of lumbar scoliosis was 4.3% (N=124), but rapidly increased after the sixth decade. The average Cobb angle was 16.2 degree. A positive correlation was found between the Cobb angle and age (r=0.275, P<0.05). The ratios of males to females and of the right to left curves were both about 1:2. The most common sites of upper end vertebra were T12 and L1, that of the lower end vertebra L4 and those of the apex L2 (N=48) and L3 (N=40). Most (N=111) had grade 1 rotation. With regard to the magnitude of the curves, no other factors were statistically significant.
CONCLUSIONS
De novo scoliosis can be considered to develop rapidly after the sixth decade. The Cobb angle had a positive correlation with age (r=0.275, p<0.05). These data are thought could be useful and valuable for future study of lumbar scoliosis.

Keyword

Lumbar scoliosis; Prevalence; Plain abdominal X-ray

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Cross-Sectional Studies
Epidemiologic Studies*
Female
Humans
Korea
Male
Osteophyte
Prevalence
Radiography, Abdominal
Retrospective Studies
Scoliosis*
Spine

Figure

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  Fig. 1. These erect abdominal X-ray radiographies are examples of lumbar scoliosis grouped by age ((A) the second decade, (B) the third decade, (C) the fourth decade, (D) the fifth decade, (E) the sixth decade, (F) the seventh decade, (G) the eighth decade). The locations of apex are between the intervertebral disc space of L1 and L2 and body of L4. They show lumbar scoliosis of significant vertebral rotation and more than 10。

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  Fig. 2. The number of checked radiographies and lumbar scoliosis according to age.

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  Fig. 3. Correlation between Cobb angle and age r: Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient

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