Document Detail


A meta-analysis of the clinical effectiveness of school scoliosis screening.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20393399     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
STUDY DESIGN: A meta-analysis that systematically reviewed the evaluation studies of a scoliosis screening program reported in the literature. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the best current evidence on the clinical effectiveness of school screening for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The use of school scoliosis screening is controversial, and its clinical effectiveness has been diversely reported. METHODS: Data sources included 3 databases, namely, PubMed, Google scholar, CINAHL database, and the references from identified reviews and studies. Studies were included if: (1) they adopted a retrospective cohort design; (2) were screened using either the forward bending test (FBT), angle of trunk rotation, or Moiré topography; (3) reported results of screening tests and radiographic assessments; (4) screened adolescents only; (5) reported the incidence of curves with a minimum Cobb angle of 10 degrees or greater; and (6) reported the number of referrals for radiography. Reviews, comments, case studies, and editorials were excluded. RESULTS: Thirty-six studies, including 34 from the 775 initially identified studies and 2 from the references, met the selection criteria. The pooled referral rate for radiography was 5.0%, and the pooled positive predictive values for detecting curves > or =10 degrees , curves > or =20 degrees , and treatment were 28.0%, 5.6%, and 2.6%, respectively. There was substantial heterogeneity across studies. Meta-regression showed that programs using the FBT alone reported a higher referral rate (odds ratio [OR] = 2.91) and lower positive predictive values for curves > or =10 degrees (OR = 0.49) and curves > or =20 degrees (OR = 0.34) than programs using other tests. Only one small study followed students until skeletal maturity and reported the sensitivity of screening; however, the specificity was not reported. No severe publication bias was noted. CONCLUSION: The use of the FBT alone in school scoliosis screening is insufficient. We need large, retrospective cohort studies with sufficient follow-up to properly assess the clinical effectiveness of school scoliosis screening.
Authors:
Daniel Yee Tak Fong; Chun Fan Lee; Kenneth Man Chee Cheung; Jack Chun Yiu Cheng; Bobby Kin Wah Ng; Tsz Ping Lam; Kwok Hang Mak; Paul Siu Fai Yip; Keith Dip Kei Luk
Related Documents :
1929029 - Cost effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening in the elderly.
12797859 - Prevention of cervical cancer.
20123779 - Projected costs, risks, and benefits of expanded newborn screening for mcadd.
17178249 - Prevention of lysosomal storage disorders in israel.
16206199 - Impact of a national beta-thalassemia carrier screening program on the birth rate of th...
14595039 - Newborn screening by tandem mass spectrometry for medium-chain acyl-coa dehydrogenase d...
20504219 - Dispatches from the evolution wars: shifting tactics and expanding battlefields.
3400649 - Multidisciplinary cost-containment program promoting less frequent administration of in...
19039739 - Communication skills training: effects on attitudes toward communication skills and emp...
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Meta-Analysis; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Spine     Volume:  35     ISSN:  1528-1159     ISO Abbreviation:  Spine     Publication Date:  2010 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-04-30     Completed Date:  2010-08-02     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7610646     Medline TA:  Spine (Phila Pa 1976)     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1061-71     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Nursing Studies, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Child
Early Diagnosis
Female
Humans
Male
Mass Screening / methods,  statistics & numerical data*
Physical Examination / methods,  statistics & numerical data*
Predictive Value of Tests
Radiology / methods,  statistics & numerical data*
Referral and Consultation / statistics & numerical data
Reproducibility of Results
Schools / statistics & numerical data*
Scoliosis / diagnosis*,  therapy
Spine / radiography*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Lumbar spondylolisthesis among elderly men: prevalence, correlates, and progression.
Next Document:  Methodological Systematic Review: Mortality in Elderly Patients With Cervical Spine Injury: A Critic...