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Loss of body height is observed in patients with idiopathic scoliosis (IS) due to spine curvatures. The study compared pulmonary parameters obtained from spirometry examination considering the measured versus the corrected body height. One hundred and twenty adolescents with Lenke type 1 or 3 IS who underwent preoperative spirometry examination and radiographic evaluation were enrolled. The mean thoracic Cobb angle was 68° ± 12.6, range 48–102°. The difference between the measured and the corrected body height increased with the greater Cobb angle. Using the corrected body height instead of the measured body height significantly changed the predicted values of pulmonary parameters and influenced the interpretation of the pulmonary testing results.

This study aimed to compare the Italian Spine Youth Quality of Life Questionnaire (ISYQOL-PL) versus the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire scores evaluating the validity of the concurrent and known-groups. Eighty-one girls (mean age 13.5 ± 1.8 years) with idiopathic scoliosis (IS) with a mean Cobb angle of 31.0 (±10.0) degrees were examined, all treated with a corrective TLSO brace for an average duration of 2.6 (±1.9) years. The patients’ scores were compared as follows: (1) age: ≤13 years vs. &gt, 13 years), (2) scoliosis severity: mild (Cobb angle 10–30°) vs. moderate (Cobb angle &gt, 30°), (3) single curve pattern vs. double curve pattern. Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the strength of the association between ISYQOL-PL and SRS-22 scores. T-tests were applied to assess if the ISYQOL-PL measure and SRS-22 total score were significantly different in the different groups of patients. The concurrent validity analysis showed a moderate correlation (Lin pccc = 0.47). The ISYQOL-PL showed a significantly better quality of life in mild than moderate scoliosis. The severity of scoliosis but not the age or the curve pattern demonstrated a direct statistically significant effect on patients’ quality of life only when evaluated using the ISYQOL-PL.

The study aimed to determine the impact of 6-month rigid brace on back muscle strength and endurance in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. Sixty–one girls, aged 7.0–16.0, were analyzed in two groups: the study group (6–month rigid brace wear) vs. the control group (no brace treatment), recruited consecutively and matched for age, body height, weight, BMI, primary curve location and Cobb angle. All patients underwent clinical and radiological examination, modified Biering–Sorensen test, prone and standing maximum strength and endurance tests. No significant difference between groups in back muscles strength or endurance, both gobal and reported to body weight was found. No relation between the daily brace time and the back muscle strength or endurance was observed. The 6–month use of a rigid brace did not affect the strength or endurance of the back muscles in adolescent girls treated for idiopathic scoliosis.

A standing body height is a variable used to calculate pulmonary parameters during spirometry examination. In adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, the loss of the body height is observed, and it may potentially influence the results of pulmonary testing. The study aimed to analyze pulmonary parameters in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis in relation to the measured versus the corrected body height. Preoperative pulmonary testing and radiographic evaluation were performed in 39 children (29 females, 10 males) aged 12–17 years. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were measured. The single best effort was analyzed. Thoracic Cobb angle ranged 50°–104°. Corrected body height was calculated according to the Stokes’ formula. The subgroup analysis was performed for the subjects with curves 50°–74° (N=26) versus 75°–104° curves (N=13). Mean measured body height was 166.1±9.0 cm versus 168.9±8.9 cm mean corrected body height. The %FVC obtained for the measured height was significantly higher than obtained for the corrected height: 84.6% ±15.6 vs. 81.6% ±15.6, p

The Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI 2012) presented multi-ethnic spirometry reference values that are recommended to be used instead previous Zapletals’ reference values. The study aimed to compare the values of the pulmonary parameters calculated according to the Zapletals’ versus the GLI 2012 reference values in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. Preoperative pulmonary testing and radiographic evaluation were performed in 39 adolescents (29 females, 10 males) aged 12–17 years. The thoracic Cobb angle ranged 50°–104°. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were measured. The percentages of predicted values of FVC (%FVC) and the FEV1 (%FEV1) were calculated according to the Zapletals’ reference values and to the GLI 2012 reference values. The subgroup analysis was performed for the subjects with Cobb curve 50°–74° (N=26) versus the subjects with Cobb curve 75°–104° (N=13). Mean %FVC was significantly higher using the Zapletals’ reference values 86.1%±16.4 versus 84.6%±15.6 using the GLI 2012 reference values, p=0.0116. Mean %FEV1 was significantly higher using the Zapletals’ reference values 84.5%±18.2 versus 80.0%±16.3 using GLI 2012 reference values, p=0.000001. The subgroup analysis revealed significant difference of %FVC in moderate (p=0.033974) and no difference in severe curves (p=0.1993). The %FEV1 differences were significant in both moderate (p=0.000011) and severe curves (p=0.0334). The study demonstrated that a significant difference might be observed in the spirometry parameters due to the applied reference values. These differences might be taken into account during the spirometry examination interpretation.

Background The CHD7 (chromosome domain helicase DNA binding protein 7) gene has been associated with familial idiopathic scoliosis (IS) in families of European descent. The CHD7 single-nucleotide polymorphisms have never been studied in Polish Caucasian IS patients. Methods The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of CHD7 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to or progression of IS in Polish Caucasian females. The study group comprised 211 females who underwent clinical, radiological and genetic examination. The study group was analyzed in three subgroups according to: (1) Cobb angle (Cobb angle ≤30° vs. Cobb angle ≥35°), (2) age of diagnosis (adolescent IS vs. early-onset IS) and (3) rate of progression (non-progressive vs. slowly progressive vs. rapidly progressive IS). The control group comprised 83 females with no scoliosis and with a negative family history who underwent clinical and genetic examination. In total six CHD7 gene polymorphisms were examined. Three polymorphisms (rs1017861, rs13248429, and rs4738813) were examined by RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) analysis, and three were quantified by Sanger sequencing (rs78874766, rs4738824, and rs74797613). Results In rs13248429, rs78874766, and rs74797613 polymorphisms only the wild allele was present. The rs1017861 polymorphism demonstrated an association with IS susceptibility (p p CHD7 gene showed any association with the age of IS onset. Conclusions The polymorphism rs1017861 in CHD7 gene showed an association with IS susceptibility. Two polymorphisms (rs1017861 and rs4738813) were associated with curve severity and progression rate. None of the evaluated polymorphisms in CHD7 gene showed any association with the age of IS onset. Further evaluation of CHD7 gene should be considered as IS modifying factor.

The aim of this work was to analyze postural stability of girls having progressive form of idiopathic scoliosis and undergoing specific period of the adolescent growth spurt. Twenty-seven girls, aged 13.4 ± 1.2 years, presenting structural idiopathic scoliosis, thoracic or thoracolumbar pattern, radiological Cobb angle 41.7 ± 17.4° (study group) and 37 healthy girls (control group) were included. The groups were sex, age, height, weight, and BMI matched. Postural stability examination was performed using two stabilometric platforms with visual control (eyes open) at three stages: (1) both legs’ stance, (2) left leg stance, and (3) right leg stance. The Center of Pressure (COP) sway path length, the area and the displacement amplitude were compared. For the double stance, no difference in postural stability parameters between the groups was found. However, for the right leg stance, the total sway path length was longer (p=0.04) and the mean amplitude of the lateral COP displacement was increased (p=0.03) in the scoliotic group. In conclusion, for double stance, the adolescent girls with progressive form of idiopathic scoliosis revealed fair postural stability compared to control group. An impaired postural control was observed during right leg stance.

Background First author attempted to analyse medical records of patients with idiopathic scoliosis for compliance with the Scoliosis Research Society brace studies criteria. A retrospective analysis of medical records of 2705 girls treated from 1989 to 2002 was carried out. Methods Age, Cobb, Risser and menarchal status were analyzed for compliance with the Scoliosis Research Society brace studies criteria: a) age ≥10 years, b) Risser 0–2, c) 25–40° Cobb angle, d) no earlier treatment, e) patients before first menses or not more than one year from first menses. Results It has been found that 183 girls out of 2705 were ≥10 years old and in the range 25–40° Cobb angle. One hundred two out of 2705 patients revealed eligible for brace effectiveness study according to SRS 2005 criteria. 120 out of 2705 patients revealed eligible for brace brace effectiveness study according to SRS-SOSORT 2014 criteria. Conclusion The excluded patients revealed too old or with too significant Cobb angles. This indicates the changing criteria for scoliosis brace treatment over the time. Direct comparison of current results of brace treatment with historical series of cases turns out to be very difficult.

Background: Patients with Scheuermann disease often require conservative management with a series of corrective casts, followed by anti-kyphotic brace. Flexibility of the kyphosis can be assessed during a supine fulcrum bending test. The aim of the study was to analyze the radiological flexibility of kyphosis and immediate in-cast correction in a series of patients conservatively treated.Methods: Eighty-six adolescents were conservatively treated for Scheuermann disease of thoracic location. Charts of 55 patients, 39 boys and 16 girls, were accessible. The mean age was 14.6±1.6 years. On the lateral full-cassette standing radiograph, the angle of thoracic and lumbar lordosis were measured. The flexibility of kyphosis was assessed on a supine fulcrum bending lateral radiograph. The in-cast kyphosis angle was measured on a standing lateral radiograph.Results: In 18 patients, a mild non-progressive scoliotic curvature was present; it did not exceed a Cobb angle measurement of 25°. The initial kyphosis angle was 59.2°±9.3°. The lordosis angle was 76.3°±9.3°. The kyphosis angle on supine fulcrum bending test was 30.4°±9.7°. The kyphosis angle in the reclining cast was 44.3°±12.5°. There was no correlation between age and the supine bending correction. There was a correlation between the correction obtained with the supine bending test and the immediate correction in the cast (r=0.64, p=0.0012).Conclusions: The reduction of the kyphosis Cobb angle by supine fulcrum bending was 50% on average, while in the cast in standing position, only half of this correction was maintained.

Methods The study group included 147 Caucasian girls with IS, aged 9-18 years (mean 13.6 ±2.2), Cobb angle range 11°65°, mean 27.9 ±11.9, comprising 42 single thoracic, 31 single lumbar and 74 double curve scoliosis. According to the Cobb angle, there were 70 mild (10-24o), 54 moderate (25-40o) and 23 severe (> 45o) curves. The control group included 147 girls aged 9-18 years (mean 13.1 ±.3), selected at random from the group of 300 girls free of IS (angle of trunk rotation