Deformity related stress in adolescents with AIS.
A new questionnaire (The Bad Sobernheim Stress Questionnaire BSSQ) has been developed to assess the psychological stress scoliosis patients develop as a consequence of their deformity. The aim of this study was to determine this stress level in a sample of adolescents with scoliosis.


METHODS
206 Patients were recruited to the study and completed a questionnaire (8 items). The average age was 15.7 years with an average Cobb angle of 35.8 degrees. All subjects returned a fully completed questionnaire. Plausibility of the results was assessed by examining for consistent responses to two plausibility questions.


RESULTS
The average stress value was 19.97 / 24, which can be regarded as "low stress". The average stress value in the group meeting the plausibility threshold (n = 155) was 21 / 24 while the average stress value in the group not meeting the threshold (n = 51) was 15.9 / 24, regarded as "medium stress". This correlated negatively with the Cobb angle (r = -.54; p < 0,001). The Cobb angle / test value correlation was highest in thoracic curves (n = 87; r = -.49; p < 0,001) and lowest in double major curves (n = 46; r = -.27; p = 0,03).


CONCLUSIONS
Adolescents with scoliosis have on average only "low stress" associated with their deformity. Not fulfilling a plausibility threshold seems to be a predictor for more stress associated with the scoliotic deformity.
Weiss
Hans-Rudolf
HR
Asklepios Katharina Schroth Spinal Deformities Rehabilitation Centre, Korczakstr. 2, 55566 Bad Sobernheim, Germany. hr.weiss@asklepios.com
Reichel
Dagmar
D
Schanz
Juliane
J
Zimmermann-Gudd
Sabine
S
D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires