ADULT LUMBAR SCOLIOSIS - EPIDEMIOLOGIC ASPECTS IN A LOW-BACK-PAIN POPULATION

The frequency and characteristics of definite lumbar scoliosis in an a dult common low-back pain population (n = 671) were assessed by a clin ical and radiologic prospective study. The prevalence was 7.5% (N = 50 ), increasing with age: 2% before 45 years; 15% after 60 years. Scolio sis was revealed by low-back pain in adulthood in 86% of the cases. Th e mean Cobb angle was 21 +/- 11.4-degrees. A Cobb angle of more than 3 0-degrees was noted in 16% of the scoliotics, thus 1% of,the entire po pulation. The proportion of women increased with the severity of the s coliosis. Right and left side scolioses were equally noted. A correlat ion between the Cobb angle and age was found (0.3-degrees/yr; P < 0.05 ). Rotatory olisthesis was noted in 34% of the cases, more often in ri ght side curves (P < 0.01). The lumbar scoliotic patients were disting uished by a more advanced age (62 +/- 12.4 yr vs. 49.6 +/- 15.5 yr; P < 0.001), a greater proportion of women (72% vs. 48%; P < 0.01), and a more likely involvement of L3 and L4 radicular pain (P < 0.05). Ridic ular thigh pain was related to unstable curves (P < 0.01). The lumbar scoliotic patients thus constitute a subgroup within the low-back pain population.