Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: epidemiology and treatment outcome in a large cohort of children six years after screening.

A prospective study was carried out in a cohort of 6873 children to determine diagnosis and treatment rates for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and to establish the distribution of parameters related to bracing. The follow-up completion rate was 85%, and prevalence rates were adjusted accordingly. The prevalence of AIS of 6 degrees or more at time of diagnosis was 8.1%. The female to male ratio for curves of 6 degrees or more was 1.07:1 with an increase to 6:1 for curves greater than 21 degrees. The rate of brace treatment was 2.8 per 1000. Deterioration, defined as progression of a scoliosis curve to the point where a brace was prescribed, was found in 3.7% of the scoliosis group. Fifteen children were prescribed braces: eight did not follow the treatment plan adequately (non-compliers), and five among these abandoned the follow-up programme. However, none of the non-compliers deteriorated to the point where spinal fusion was required.