Prevalence of scoliosis and cost-effectiveness of screening in schools in Turkey.
The study was intended determine the prevalence of scoliosis and to assess the cost-effectiveness of a school screening program for scoliosis in Turkey. A total of 4259 children (2057 females and 2022 males aged 10-14 years old) were screened. Thirty-nine children had a positive forward bending test. The prevalence of scoliosis was 25 per 1000 in the screened population. The ratio of girls to boys with scoliosis was 2.5:1. A minor curve was detected in 72.7% of children with scoliosis (Cobb angle of 10-20 degrees), and a major curve was found in 27.3% (Cobb angle >20 degrees). The cost of screening was found to be 47 cents per child, but the cost per case of scoliosis was determined to be $236.81. School screening for scoliosis seems to be cost-effective in Turkey.
Department of Orthopedics of Haseki Training and Research Hospital, 34093 Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey. akinugras@gmail.com
Ali Akin
AA
Ugras
Murat
M
Yilmaz
Ibrahim
I
Sungur
Ibrahim
I
Kaya
Yasin
Y
Koyuncu
Mahmut Ercan
ME
Cetinus
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics*; D015995:Prevalence; D012574:Schools; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology