Prevalence Rates for Scoliosis in US Adults: Results from the First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Abstract

National prevalence estimates of scoliosis in adults, based on the reading of 6594 chest X-rays from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, are presented by age, sex and race. Among US adults aged 25–74 years in 1971–75, the prevalence rate of scoliosis was 8.3%. The prevalence of scoliosis increased across age groups among women (p < 0.001), but not among men. Women had about twice the prevalence of scoliosis as men; 10.7% versus 5.6% (p < 0.001). Because scoliosis prevalence rates differed by age and sex, prevalence rates and means for scoliosis status subgroups were adjusted for age and sex. Blacks had a higher rate, although not statistically significant (using α = 0.10), of scoliosis than whites: 9.7% versus 8.1%. Bone density of the radius was lower for scoliotics than for non-scoliotics: (287.0 versus 294.0 aluminum equivalency units, p < 0.001), suggesting a possible association between scoliosis and osteoporosis. The percentage with delayed menarche was higher for scoliotics than non-scoliotics: 37.8 versus 30.8% (p = 0.01). Scoliotic women also had a lower mean age of menstruation termination than non-scoliotic women: 43.4 years versus 44.8 years (p = 0.07). This is the first study to present national prevalence estimates for scoliosis among adults in the US.