title: Pulmonary Function in Middle-Aged Patients With Idiopathic Scoliosis With Onset Before the Age of 10 Years.
abstract: METHODS
  Consecutive patients with idiopathic scoliosis diagnosed before age 10 attended a clinical follow-up at least 10 years after treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the pulmonary function in adulthood after treatment with brace or surgery before maturity.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Long-term studies of these patients have not been published.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred twenty-four patients (69% of the original group) underwent radiography, spirometry, and answered symptom questionnaires. A total of 73 patients had spirometries before treatment enabling longitudinal evaluation. Overall, 68 braced only (BT) and 56 surgically treated (ST) were analyzed in detail. A population-based control group was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At follow-up, the mean age was 41.5 years and the mean curve size 36 degrees (26% of the curves >45 degrees). The full patient group had a significantly reduced pulmonary function (as measured by the forced vital capacity [FVC], percentage of predicted) compared with the control group, mean 85% versus 102% (p < .0001). Both subgroups of BT and ST patients showed a significant reduction, more in the ST than the BT group (means 79% and 90%, respectively, p = .0003). The most important risk factor for a low lung function at follow-up was a low initial FVC value. Initial curve size correlated with pulmonary function both before treatment and at follow-up. Most surgically treated patients, who had larger curves before treatment, did not improve their pulmonary function after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both braced and surgically treated patients had reduced pulmonary function at the age of around 40 years. The pulmonary function did not worsen over time in most patients. There was no difference in terms of symptoms between patient groups and controls. Initial curve size was found to be of great importance for pulmonary function. Initial spirometry and follow-up in selected patients is important.
  
  
  METHODS
  III.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Orthopedics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address: danielsson.aina@telia.com.
authors.forename: Aina J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Danielsson
authors.affiliation: Krefting Research Centre, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ekerljung
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Kerstin Lofdahl
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Hallerman
keywords: Follow-up; Idiopathic scoliosis; Long term; Pulmonary function; Treatment