[Quality of life in patients with idiopathic scoliosis treated operatively with the Cotrel-Dubousset method].

INTRODUCTION

Idiopathic scoliosis is a pathology which affects the individual's functioning in the widely understood physical, psychic, and social aspects. The aim of this study was to assess the dynamics of indicators of the quality of life and to search for correlations between the subjectively reported quality of life, radiographic findings, and some sociodemographic parameters.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The study was done in two independent groups of patients treated operatively at the Department of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin. One group comprised 35 patients who were examined 12 months after surgery. The other group comprised 52 patients who were examined after at least two years from surgery. The study tools included a personal data questionnaire, a clinical assessment form, and the SRS-22 Scoliosis Research Society's standardized tool for the measurement of dependent variables.

RESULTS

Physical activity was perceived as deteriorating in proportion to the time passing from surgery and this finding was highly statistically significant. Pain was greater after 2 or more years from surgery. Mental health deteriorated in proportion to the time from surgery. No statistically significant differences as to the body image and satisfaction with treatment scores were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

1. Deterioration of physical activity, mental health, and greater pain was reported by patients with socioeconomic problems and patients living in villages and small towns. 2. No correlation between the general quality of life and the degree of scoliosis in the thoracic or lumbar segment of the spine was found.