Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
Cell-based Assay Protocol for the Prognostic Prediction of Idiopathic Scoliosis Using Cellular Dielectric Spectroscopy
Published on: October 16, 2013
Does Weight Status Affect Idiopathic Early-Onset Scoliosis Progression and Initial Curve Severity? A Retrospective
Mason AlNouri1, Ami AlNouri2, Kanichiro Wada3
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Japan mason.alnouri@hirosaki-u.ac.jp.
Background:
Young patients with scoliosis tend to have weight abnormalities, which were previously shown to be correlated with bigger curves in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, but their associations with early-onset scoliosis curves remain unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of weight status on initial curve magnitude and progression in idiopathic early-onset scoliosis patients.
Methods:
A retrospective review of patient records was conducted at 3 centers. Idiopathic early-onset scoliosis patients, with regular follow-up intervals and no major medical comorbidities, were included. Collected variables were date of birth, sex, primary diagnosis, outpatient visit dates with measured height/weight/Cobb angle, and length of follow-up. Patients were assigned the categories underweight, normal, or overweight/obese based on their weight/height pattern over time. Fisher's exact test was used for categorical variables, while the Mann-Whitney test was carried out for continuous variables. A P value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results:
A total of 110 patients, 39 males and 71 females, were included from all centers. The average follow-up duration was 8.5 years. A significant association of both underweight (RR = 5.2, 95% CI = 2.2-11.7, P = 0.0006) and overweight/obesity (RR = 4.4, 95% CI = 1.9-10.0, P = 0.0008) categories with early progression was found. Initial curve magnitudes of underweight patients (P = 0.0473) and overweight/obese patients (P = 0.0051) were significantly greater than normal weight patients.
Conclusions:
Idiopathic early-onset scoliosis patients who are underweight or overweight/obese are at a higher risk of early scoliosis curve progression, and they initially present with higher curve magnitudes compared to patients with a normal weight status.
Clinical Relevance:
Spine surgeons can have more insight into the association between weight and scoliosis curve magnitude and progression risk, allowing more robust risk stratification and better counseling for patients and caregivers.
