Study design: Prospective, nonrandomized study of children with congenital scoliosis.
Objective: To determine the outcomes of children with congenital scoliosis using SRS-22.
Summary of background data: Outcome measures in children with congenital scoliosis are unreported. Novel treatments such as VEPTR (vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib) must show positive patient-reported outcomes during treatment because improvement in pulmonary function has not been demonstrated.
Methods: Patients with congenital scoliosis were prospectively enrolled and divided into 3 groups: children under observation (OBSERVATION), children who had surgery (SURGICAL), and children treated with VEPTR (VEPTR). The SRS-22 questionnaire reports 6 domains: Total, Function, Mental Health, Image, Satisfaction, and Pain. SRS-22 questionnaires were prospectively collected from 184 OBSERVATION patients, 27 SURGICAL patients, and 22 VEPTR patients. Because of repeated measurement on each patient, the observations cannot be assumed to be independent. To account for this dependence, linear mixed models were used.
Results: OBSERVATION scores were near normal in all domains. Initial postoperative scores for Function and Pain decreased for the SURGICAL group and subsequently Total, Function, Image, and Satisfaction scores increased. Initial postoperative VEPTR scores in Mental Health and Pain decreased and Total, Function, and Image scores increased during subsequent visits.
Conclusion: Children with congenital scoliosis had SRS-22 scores that compare favorably with scores reported in the literature for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. For SURGICAL and VEPTR patients with congenital scoliosis, SRS-22 Total, Function, and Image scores increased over time. Function, Image, and Pain require focus in children with congenital scoliosis. This is the first study that documents improvement in outcomes of VEPTR patients while in treatment.
Level of evidence: 2.