Low back pain and patient-reported QOL outcomes in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis without corrective surgery

PURPOSE To reveal the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and association between LBP and patient-reported QOL outcomes (JOABPEQ and SRS-22r) in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) without corrective surgery. METHODS Ninety-eight female patients with AIS without corrective surgery who answered JOABPEQ, SRS-22r, and VAS for LBP were included. The scores of all subdomains in JOABPEQ and SRS-22r were calculated. From the standing radiographs, we measured the Risser grade and radiographic parameters regarding the curve magnitude, coronal and sagittal balance, and spinopelvic alignment. Furthermore, we recorded whether the patients were undergoing brace treatment at the time of visiting our outpatient clinic. The patients with VAS >30 mm (moderate or severe LBP) were designated as Group P; VAS ≤30 mm, Group N. All variables were compared between the groups. RESULTS The prevalence of LBP (VAS >0 mm) was 34.7% and that of moderate or severe LBP was 16.2%. All subdomain scores in JOABPEQ and those for function and pain in SRS-22r were significantly smaller in Group P than Group N. The subdomain scores for self-image and satisfaction/dissatisfaction with management in SRS-22r did not differ between the groups. The age, Risser grade, radiographic parameters, and whether the patients were undergoing brace treatment did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of LBP was 34.7%, which was approximately three times higher than that previously reported in Japanese pupils without scoliosis. The patients with LBP demonstrated poorer QOL outcomes associated with LBP regardless of radiographic parameters, patients' self-image and satisfaction with treatment.