[Family prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis].
OBJECTIVE
Review of the literature shows that, for the moment, the cause of idiopathic scoliosis remains unknown. It has been attributed to a wide variety of conditions, including genetics. The aim of this paper was to determine the frequency of antecedents and family prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis in first and second degree relatives.


METHODS
During 1994-1995, the families, including first and second degree relatives, of 100 schoolchildren with idiopathic scoliosis were surveyed for scoliosis. The screening was done initially by clinical examination, the test of Adams and subsequently the diagnosis was confirmed by roentgenography.


RESULTS
Our study showed the following results. Twenty-five percent of patients investigated had one or more affected individuals in their family. Prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis in first degree relatives was 5.16% and in second degree relatives 4.31%. It was more frequent in females than in males (p < 0.05). This prevalence is larger than that in the general population (1-2%).


CONCLUSIONS
Our conclusion is that the mechanism of inheritance is most likely multifactorial. In view of the predominance of females, an X-linked inheritance is suggested.
Martín Martín
J
J
Sección del Servicio de Rehabilitación, Complejo Hospitalario Ntra. Sra. de Candelaria.
Rodríguez Blanco
C
C
Eguren Hernández
E M
EM
Díaz Polegre
R
R
de León García
F
F
Pedrosa Guerra
A I
AI
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
Prevalencia familiar de la escoliosis idiopática.