Natural history of Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a review of literature

• Published in: Journal of Spine Research Vol. 12; no. 11; pp. 1278 - 1286
• Main Authors: Yoshida, Atsuhiro, Kuroya, Shingo, Akazawa, Tsutomu, Torii, Yoshiaki, Tomochika, Ken, Asano, Kota, Niki, Hisateru, Ueno, Jun, Iinuma, Masahiro, Umehara, Tasuku, Ishimori, Koichi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Japanese Society for Spine Surgery and Related Research 20.11.2021; 一般社団法人 日本脊椎脊髄病学会
• Subjects: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis; Natural history; 思春期特発性側弯症; 自然経過
• ISSN: 1884-7137; 2435-1563
• DOI: 10.34371/jspineres.2021-1102

Background: Although it has been concluded that the natural course of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is not highly detrimental to later health even if untreated, there are few data with long-term follow-up, and there is some variation among researchers in their interpretation. However, long-term follow-up data are scarce and interpretation of such data varies among researchers.Purpose: To conduct a literature review of the long-term natural history of AIS, to reevaluate cases in which therapeutic intervention should be performed after bone maturation, and to identify problems with previous studies.Methods: We conducted a literature search using PubMed, checked the contents of 175 papers, and finally adopted 34 papers.Results: Curve progression is more likely to occur in the thoracic curve, especially in the Cobb angle of 50-75°, with less than 1° progression per year. Lung function is related to Cobb's angle, with shortness of breath in daily life occurring at angles of 80° or more, and a greater impact on cardiac function at angles of 110° or more. Low back pain is not related to Cobb's angle, but its frequency and severity tend to be higher than in the healthy group. Mortality, prevalence of psychiatric disorders, and social functioning are not inferior to normal subjects. Problems with previous studies include lack of clarification of etiology, lack of data on long-term natural history, and uncertainty of Onset.Conclusion: Surgical intervention should be considered for thoracic curves with Cobb angle >50 degrees, otherwise it should be considered multifaceted.