Patient characteristics at the initial visit to a scoliosis clinic: a cross-sectional study in a community without school screening.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was conducted of all patients referred for an initial visit to the orthopedic outpatient clinic of a metropolitan pediatric hospital in Canada for suspected adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

OBJECTIVE

To document the appropriateness of current referral patterns for AIS in comparison to those that were prevailing before discontinuation of school screening in Canada.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The consequences of the discontinuation of school scoliosis screening programs on the referral patterns of AIS patients remain unknown.

METHODS

The clinical and radiologic charts of the 636 consecutive patients referred for scoliosis evaluation over a 1-year period were reviewed. Patients were classified according to defined criteria of appropriateness of referral based on skeletal maturity and curve magnitude.

RESULTS

Of the 489 suspected cases of AIS, 206 (42%) had no significant deformity (Cobb angle <10 degrees ) and could be considered as inappropriate referrals. In subjects with confirmed AIS, 91 patients (32%) were classified as late referrals with regards to brace treatment indications.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that current referral mechanisms for AIS are leading to a suboptimal case-mix in orthopedics in terms of appropriateness of referral.