What impact does spinal deformity correction for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis make on quality of life?
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.
Danielsson
Aina J
AJ
Department of Orthopedics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. danielsson.aina@telia.com
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