Untreated scoliosis was associated with significantly increased mortality compared to expected population rates (P<0.001), particularly for infantile and juvenile onset.
Cohort (n=115)
Does untreated scoliosis increase mortality compared to the general population?
Untreated infantile and juvenile scoliosis is associated with significantly increased long-term mortality, frequently due to respiratory or cardiovascular failure.
p-value: p=<0.001
The mortality and causes of death in 115 patients (80 women), born 1902-1937, with untreated scoliosis were compared to the expected according to official Swedish statistics. Subgrouping for cause and onset of scoliosis was done. Fifty-five patients had died; 21 of respiratory failure and 17 of cardiovascular diseases. The mortality was significantly (P less than 0.001) increased. The increased risk was apparent at 40-50 years of age. The mortality was significantly increased in infantile (P less than 0.001) and juvenile (P less than 0.01) scoliosis but not in adolescent scoliosis. The mortality was also increased in post-polio scoliosis, scoliosis combined with rickets and scoliosis of unknown etiology indicating an increased mortality in idiopathic scoliosis. Among the surviving patients anti-hypertensive treatment was frequent (23 of 50).
Pehrsson et al. (Tue,) conducted a cohort in Untreated scoliosis (n=115). Untreated scoliosis vs. Expected mortality according to official Swedish statistics was evaluated on Mortality (p=<0.001). Untreated scoliosis was associated with significantly increased mortality compared to expected population rates (P<0.001), particularly for infantile and juvenile onset.