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M.G.B. Dantas1, P.J. Penha2, k.P. Ferreira1, H.J. Correia1, B.B. do Nascimento1, L.d.S. Silva1, A.P.S. da Silva1, A.N. Aquino3, G.O. de Sousa1, S.M.A. João4
1University of Pernambuco, Physiotherapy, Petrolina, Brazil, 2Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo, Physiotherapy, São Paulo, Brazil, 3University of Pernambuco, Medicine, Serra Talhada, Brazil, 4University of São Paulo, Physical Therapy, Speech, and Occupational Therapy, São Paulo, Brazil
Background: The Northeast region of Brazil is more exposed to sunlight due to its proximity to the Equator Line (7° 59’7” – 9° 23’39”). This geographical feature becomes an important factor, since sunlight can influence the secretion of melatonin, modify the age of menarche in girls, and consequently affect the prevalence of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). There are no brazilian studies about scoliosis school screening in the northeast region.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of AIS in schoolchildren from the semi-arid region of Pernambuco, expanding the age range for screening.
Methods: A total of 520 adolescents of both sexes between 10 and 16 years old were assessed. The adolescents were recruited from public schools in the cities of Petrolina and Serra Talhada. The screening for AIS included the measurement of the angle of trunk rotation (ATR) using a scoliometer® in the Adams forward bend test. The subjects with ATR ≥ 7° were referred for radiography.
Results: Among the evaluated adolescents, 9.8% (CI 95%:7.4-12.6%) presented ATR ≥ 7° and 3.1% (CI 95%: 3.2 -6.9%) had a confirmed AIS diagnosis, 1.9% girls and 1.1% boys. There was no difference between the genders for the prevalence of AIS. The average value of the Cobb angle of the adolescents with AIS was 18.65o ± 2.11º (CI 95%: 17.05º- 19.30º), and adolescents with AIS had a lower body mass index than the others.
Conclusion(s): The prevalence of AIS in cities in the semi-arid region of Pernambuco is similar the ones described in the literature and the expansion of the age group allowed the identification of more cases of AIS in boys.
Implications: The greater proximity to the Equator line does not seem to interfere to the prevalence of AIS, however it is important to screen boys at older ages to identify AIS.
Funding, acknowledgements: Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel - Brazil (CAPES).
Keywords: adolescent, scoliosis, mass screening
Topic: Musculoskeletal: spine
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: University of São Paulo
Committee: Ethics Committee of the University of São Paulo School of Medicine
Ethics number: 1834691
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
