Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Screening

1. Prospective, controlled screening studies that compare screened vs. unscreened populations, and different screening settings, personnel, and procedures.
2. Good-quality studies with prospective identification of cohorts at the time of diagnosis or treatment for long-term follow-up.
3. High-quality studies on the potential harms of screening and treatment.
4. Studies to help determine whether individual characteristics (ie, BMI) influence response to bracing treatment.
5. Studies on long-term outcomes, with results stratified by degree of spinal curvature at diagnosis and at skeletal maturity.
6. Data on long-term outcomes: pulmonary disorders, disability, back pain, psychological effects, cosmetic issues, quality of life.
7. Good-quality studies on treatment with bracing, exercise, and surgery among screen-detected individuals.
8. Studies conducted in primary care settings

The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in children and adolescents aged 10 to 18 years.

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Screening Read full statement