Global Prevalence of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Between 1975 and 2025: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Clinically significant adolescent idiopathic scoliosis affects 0.28% of adolescents worldwide.
Global Prevalence of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Between 1975 and 2025: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, a common spinal deformity in adolescents aged 10 to 19, with unclear aetiology, limits early diagnosis and prevention.
To provide an updated global estimate of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (adolescent idiopathic scoliosis) prevalence, and to investigate its association with socioeconomic and environmental factors.
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
clinically significant scoliosis is rare, affecting well under 1% of adolescents
For curves ≥20°, multivariable meta-regression revealed that higher annual mean surface air temperature (odds ratio [OR]=1.03; P=0.043), screening not involving orthopaedic surgeons (OR=2.04; P=0.003), and higher study quality (OR=1.40; P=0.010) were significantly associated with a higher prevalence.
Using the forward bending test alone (OR=0.64; P=0.034) was associated with a lower prevalence.
The updated global prevalence of clinically significant adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (Cobb angle ≥20°) was 0.28%, associated with environmental (such as temperature) and methodological factors (screening personnel, technique).
These findings highlight the complex, multifactorial nature of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, underscoring the need for epidemiological surveillance and further assessment of screening strategies to optimize early detection and treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis worldwide.