title: In favour of the definition "adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis": juvenile and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis braced after ten years of age, do not show different end results. SOSORT award winner 2014.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The most important factor discriminating juvenile (JIS) from adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the risk of deformity progression. Brace treatment can change natural history, even when risk of progression is high. The aim of this study was to compare the end of growth results of JIS subjects, treated after 10 years of age, with final results of AIS.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  prospective observational controlled cohort study nested in a prospective database.
  
  
  METHODS
  outpatient tertiary referral clinic specialized in conservative treatment of spinal deformities.
  
  
  METHODS
  idiopathic scoliosis; European Risser 0-2; 25 degrees to 45 degrees Cobb; start treatment age: 10 years or more, never treated before.
  
  
  METHODS
  secondary scoliosis, neurological etiology, prior treatment for scoliosis (brace or surgery). Groups: 27 patients met the inclusion criteria for the AJIS, (Juvenile Idiopathic Scoliosis treated in adolescence), demonstrated by an x-ray before 10 year of age, and treatment start after 10 years of age. AIS group included 45 adolescents with a diagnostic x-ray made after the threshold of age 10 years. Results at the end of growth were analysed; the threshold of 5 Cobb degree to define worsened, improved and stabilized curves was considered.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mean and SD were used for descriptive statistics of clinical and radiographic changes. Relative Risk of failure (RR), Chi-square and T-test of all data was calculated to find differences among the two groups. 95% Confidence Interval (CI) , and of radiographic changes have been calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We did not find any Cobb angle significant differences among groups at baseline and at the end of treatment. The only difference was in the number of patients progressed above 45 degrees, found in the JIS group. The RR of progression of AJIS was, 1.35 (IC95% 0.57-3.17) versus AIS, and it wasn't statistically significant in the AJIS group, in respect to AIS group (p = 0.5338).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are no significant differences in the final results of AIS and JIS, treated with total respect of the SRS and SOSORT criteria, in adolescence. Brace efficacy can neutralize the risk of progression.
authors.affiliation: ISICO, Italian Scientific Spine Institute, Via Roberto Bellarmino 13/1, 20143 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Donzelli
authors.affiliation: ISICO, Italian Scientific Spine Institute, Via Roberto Bellarmino 13/1, 20143 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zaina
authors.affiliation: ISICO, Italian Scientific Spine Institute, Via Roberto Bellarmino 13/1, 20143 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Monia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lusini
authors.affiliation: ISICO, Italian Scientific Spine Institute, Via Roberto Bellarmino 13/1, 20143 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Minnella
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy ; IRCCS Don Gnocchi ONLUS, via Alfonso Capecelatro, 66 - 20148 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Negrini