title: What impact does spinal deformity correction for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis make on quality of life?
abstract: METHODS
  : Literature review.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  : To identify scientifically sound studies that have reported changes in quality of life (QOL) after spinal deformity correction in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and to discuss these findings.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  : Few studies have been published. Most are retrospective cohort studies and lack both preoperative and postoperative data for the outcome in terms of QOL.
  
  
  METHODS
  : A review of existing literature with the emphasis on spinal fusion for AIS and outcome as measured by health-related QOL was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  : Thirteen studies of various quality were found after reviewing the papers. Only 3 of them contained both preoperative and postoperative data on QOL, using the SRS-22/-24. They all reported a statistically significant improvement in some of the domain scores. The clinical implications of these findings are unclear, as the minimal clinically important differences for SRS-22/-24 have not yet been established.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  : Weak evidence (Level IV) exists in the literature that spinal deformity correction for AIS does not significantly impact QOL in short-term or mid-term. The interpretation of this must be that there were no serious adverse events after surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. danielsson.aina@telia.com
authors.forename: Aina J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Danielsson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000523:psychology*; D013131:Spine / Q000002:abnormalities