Gender Difference of Curve Pattern in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis with Small Curve Magnitude
Ze-zhang Zhu, Chao Sun, Yong Qiu, Hao Shu, Zhen Liu, Xinhua Wang, Feng Zhu, Bing Wang
Abstract
Introduction: Studies on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) have documented the gender differences in natural history and treatments outcome. However, there are few studies comparing the difference of curve patterns between male and female patients.
Objectives: To investigate the gender difference of curve patterns in AIS patients with a small curve (Cobb angle 10° to 40°)
Materials and Methods: 213 female and 61 male AIS patients were enrolled in this study after excluding scoliosis of other causes with MRI of spine and physical examination. The mean age was 15.3 years for females and 15.7 years for males. All patients took the standing long-cassette antero posterior and lateral radiographs of the entire spine at the time of initial visit. Atypical curve patterns such as left thoracic curve, long curve et al. were defined according to the previous reported definition.
Results: The prevalence of atypical curve patterns was 16.4% %in boys and %6.6% in girls, the difference was statistically significant (Table 1). In thoracic curves, the prevalence of left-sided curves was 4.9%, which was significantly higher in boys (10.7%) compared with girls (1.7%). As for typical curve patterns, no significant gender difference was observed in the curve type in patients with typical curve pattern.
Conclusion: In AIS without neurological abnormality, the prevalence of atypical curve patterns in boys is obviously higher than that observed in girls.
Significance: Atypical curve without neurological abnormality was more common in male AIS. Whether they would have different natural history needs longitudinal follow-up.