Prevalence of scoliosis in women with visual deficiency

Whether visual impairment influences the prevalence of scoliosis in humans or not remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of scoliosis in blind women in a Mediterranean region.

A total of 26 blind women aged 40 years (median, range 20 - 67) were screened for scoliosis. The existence of a possible trunk hump was measured by the forward bending test using the Pruijis Scoliometer. Reading of an Angle of Trunk Inclination (ATI) greater or equal to 7 degrees was used as a cut-off criterion for radiological examination. Standing postero-anterior and lateral spinal radiographs were obtained. Menarche and circadian rhythm was recorded.

11 out of 26 women had a scoliosis with an average Cobb angle of 19 degrees (range 12 - 28). The average ATI was 8 degrees. Thoracolumbar was the most common type of curve identified (9 out of 11, 6 were to the right and 3 to the left). The median age of menarche was 13 years (range, 11 - 15). None of the blind women reported any difficulty sleeping and had a circadian rhythm related to a 24-hour day.

The prevalence of scoliosis was 42.3%, while the prevalence in the general population in the same regime is 2.9%. Blind women had a later age of menarche (13 versus 12.58 yrs) compared with normal girls. The postural etiology of scoliosis in blind people has been reported. The possible role of light in association to melatonin production, age at menarche and high prevalence of scoliosis in blind women is presented and discussed.