Risk Factors, Lifestyle and Prevention among Adolescents with Idiopathic Juvenile Scoliosis: A Cross Sectional Study in Eleven First-Grade Secondary Schools of Palermo Province, Italy

Dalila Scaturro, Claudio Costantino, Pietro Terrana, Fabio Vitagliani, Vincenzo Falco, Daniele Cuntrera, Claudia Emilia Sannasardo, Francesco Vitale and Giulia Letizia Mauro
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Dalila Scaturro: Department of Surgery, Oncology and Stomatology, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Claudio Costantino: Department of Health Promotion, Maternal Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Excellence Specialties, “G. D’Alessandro”—University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Pietro Terrana: Department of Surgery, Oncology and Stomatology, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Fabio Vitagliani: Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Catania, 95100 Catania, Italy
Vincenzo Falco: Department of Statistics, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Daniele Cuntrera: Department of Economics and Statistics, University of Palermo, 90121 Palermo, Italy
Claudia Emilia Sannasardo: Department of Health Promotion, Maternal Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Excellence Specialties, “G. D’Alessandro”—University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Francesco Vitale: Department of Health Promotion, Maternal Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Excellence Specialties, “G. D’Alessandro”—University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Giulia Letizia Mauro: Department of Surgery, Oncology and Stomatology, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 23, 1-9

Abstract: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has an incidence of 2–3% in the general population and a multifactorial etiology. The present study aims to analyze modifiable risk factors and their interactions in the development of AIS in order to increase knowledge about the disease and to prevent the evolution of AIS in young students with tailored public health strategies. A cross-sectional study was conducted over two consecutive school years among students attending 11 first-grade secondary schools in the province of Palermo, Italy. A self-administered questionnaire that investigated socio-demographical, physical and anamnestic characteristics and habits, focusing on possible risk factors associated with idiopathic scoliosis, was administered. In addition, a clinical evaluation was performed with Adams’ test and Bunnel’s inclinometer. Suspected AIS cases were associated with the practice of high-risk sports ( p < 0.05), weekly physical activity lasting ≥3 h ( p < 0.05), lower back pain ( p < 0.001), posture disorders ( p < 0.01) and having had no contact with a physician ( p < 0.01). Practice of high-risk sports (adj OR = 1.83; CI 95% 1.11–4.76) and suffering of posture disorders (adj OR = 1.67; CI 95% 1.12–3.60) showed a significant association with a confirmed diagnosis of AIS (Cobb angle ≥ 10° at X-ray). The risk factors associated with AIS are still unclear. Therefore, it is crucial to identify early modifiable and multiple risk factors to prevent the evolution of scoliosis in school-age children.

Keywords: idiopathic adolescent scoliosis; risk factors; first-grade secondary school student; back pain; high risk sport; dysmorphism of the developmental age; preventive strategies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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