1.The Clinical Effectiveness of School Screening Programme for Idiopathic Scoliosis in Malaysia
Deepak AS ; Ong JY ; Choon DSK ; Lee CK ; Chiu CK ; Chan CYW ; Kwan MK
Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal 2017;11(1):41-46
Introduction: There is no large population size study on
school screening for scoliosis in Malaysia. This study is
aimed to determine the prevalence rate and positive
predictive value (PPV) of screening programme for
adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
Materials and Methods: A total of 8966 voluntary school
students aged 13-15 years old were recruited for scoliosis
screening. Screening was done by measuring the angle of
trunk rotation (ATR) on forward bending test (FBT) using a
scoliometer. ATR of 5 degrees or more was considered
positive. Positively screened students had standard
radiographs done for measurement of the Cobb angle. Cobb
angle of >10° was used to diagnose scoliosis. The percentage
of radiological assessment referral, prevalence rate and PPV
of scoliosis were then calculated.
Results: Percentage of radiological assessment referral
(ATR >5°) was 4.2% (182/4381) for male and 5.0%
(228/4585) for female. Only 38.0% of those with ATR >5°
presented for further radiological assessment. The adjusted
prevalence rate was 2.55% for Cobb angle >10°, 0.59% for
>20° and 0.12% for >40°. The PPV is 55.8% for Cobb angle
>10°, 12.8% for >20° and 2.6% for > 40°.
Conclusions: This is the largest study of school scoliosis
screening in Malaysia. The prevalence rate of scoliosis was
2.55%. The positive predictive value was 55.8%, which is
adequate to suggest that the school scoliosis screening
programme did play a role in early detection of scoliosis.
However, a cost effectiveness analysis will be needed to
firmly determine its efficacy.