School screening for scoliosis among fifth and sixth graders of two elementary schools in Taipei

Objective: The purposes of this study were to estimate the prevalence rate and to discover relevant risk factors for scoliosis among elementary school students in Taiwan. Methods: Samples were selected from two elementary schools in Taipei. All fifth and sixth graders registered in both schools in 1996 were screened between September and December using a scoliometer. Totally, 987 subjects were screened. Results: Scoliosis was judged on the basis of the angle of trunk rotation (ATR). Students with spinal rotation equal to or greater than 5°were considered as having scoliosis. The prevalence rate was estimated at 10.1% (boys: 10.2%; girls: 10.1%). The sixth graders had a significantly higher prevalence rate of scoliosis (11.1%) than did the fifth graders (9.3%). Gender, academic year, types and weight of students' satchels, and length of time for students carrying their satchel per day were not significantly associated with scoliosis. The height-weight ratio was found to be a significant factor for scoliosis, especially for girls. However, results of logistic regression analysis indicated that height was the significant predictor for scoliosis only in female students. The taller the female student is, the more likely she will have scoliosis. Severity of scoliosis (ATR) was not associated with academic year, age, height, weight, or height-weight ratio. Conclusions: Results of this study point to the need for screening various age groups of students. Risk factors for scoliosis such as leg-length discrepancy, actual weight of satchel, family medical history, and nutritional status require further investigation.