The relationship between thoracic hyperkyphosis and the Scoliosis Research Society outcomes instrument.
METHODS
A retrospective chart review and radiographic analysis.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between thoracic hyperkyphosis and patient quality of life measures as determined by the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) outcomes instrument.


BACKGROUND
Although validated outcomes questionnaires (e.g., Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument and SRS) have been used to evaluate patients with scoliosis, there has been little written about the effects of sagittal plane alignment on these functional outcome measurements.


METHODS
Data from the SRS outcomes instrument were collected from patients with thoracic hyperkyphosis as well as those with normal spinal alignment. A total of 50 patients with thoracic kyphosis >or=45 degrees were compared with 50 normal patients with thoracic kyphosis <45 degrees . Correlation analysis was performed to identify significant relationships between the magnitude of the major kyphotic curve and the 4 SRS outcome questionnaire domains (Total Pain, General Self-Image, General Function, and Activity). Lower SRS scores indicate an increase in symptoms.


RESULTS
The average age of the subjects was 14 +/- 4 years (range, 8-18 years). The thoracic kyphosis varied between 11 degrees and 95 degrees for all subjects. Significant negative correlations were found between kyphosis magnitude and the total pain, general self-image, general function, overall level of activity, and total SRS scores (P < 0.0001). Of the 4 domains, self-image had the highest correlation with kyphosis magnitude while activity had the lowest.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that higher kyphosis magnitudes were associated with increased pain, lower self-image, and decreased function and activity. Patients with thoracic hyperkyphosis were significantly more symptomatic than normal subjects in all domains. The r values for this analysis of kyphosis (0.40-0.66), in fact were substantially greater than those previously reported for scoliosis magnitude versus SRS Questionnaire scores (0.16-0.26), suggesting this instrument may be even better suited for the evaluation of hyperkyphosis patients.
Petcharaporn
Maty
M
Department of Orthopedics, Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
Pawelek
Jeff
J
Bastrom
Tracey
T
Lonner
Baron
B
Newton
Peter O
PO
D000293:Adolescent; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D011859:Radiography; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012955:Societies, Medical; D012958:Societies, Scientific; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D014481:United States