Print Email Facebook Twitter To screen or not to screen for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis? A review of the literature Title To screen or not to screen for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis? A review of the literature Author Deurloo, J.A. Verkerk, P.H. Publication year 2015 Abstract Objectives: Over the years, there has been much debate about the desirability and efficacy of screening for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. To analyse the current evidence from a public health point of view a renewed evaluation of the literature was performed. Study design: Literature review. Methods: We performed two literature searches: from January 2000 to April 2015 for systematic reviews or guidelines on screening for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and from January 2009 to April 2015 for all studies on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and screening methods. We evaluated if screening for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis fulfils the criteria of the UK National Screenings Committee for appraising a screening programme. Results: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a condition with an unpredictable natural history. The optimal age and frequency of screening are unknown; it is not possible to predict which patients will need (conservative or surgical) treatment. The Forward Bending Test has a positive predictive value of 2.6% and a sensitivity of 56% (95% CI 23-88%) for (conservative or surgical) treatment, and is therefore not valid enough for use in a screening programme. There seems to be sufficient evidence that brace treatment is effective for preventing progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. It is not clear if screening is cost effective. Conclusions: Despite evidence that brace treatment is effective for preventing progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, the benefits from the screening programme do not outweigh the harms. From a Public Health point of view, there is not enough evidence to support a screening programme for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. © 2015 The Royal Society for Public Health. Subject LifeCH - Child HealthELSS - Earth, Life and Social SciencesHealthy for LifeHealthHealthy LivingScoliosisScreeningDisease treatmentGuidelineHealth servicesLiterature reviewPublic healthAdolescent idiopathic scoliosisAge distributionBraceConservative treatmentDevice therapyEvidence based medicineForward Bending TestHealth programHumanMusculoskeletal system examinationPractice guidelinePredictive valueRisk benefit analysisSensitivity and specificitySpine surgerySystematic reviewTreatment planningUnited Kingdom To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:63d06b89-2dd3-47f8-a409-e0ec07045c17 DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2015.07.021 TNO identifier 528359 ISSN 0033-3506 Source Public Health, 129 (9), 1267-1272 Article number 2381 Document type article Files To receive the publication files, please send an e-mail request to TNO Library.