AUTHOR=Lau Rufina Wing Lum , Cheuk Ka Yee , Hung Vivian Wing Yin , Yu Fiona Wai Ping , Tam Elisa Man Shan , Wong Lyn Lee Ning , Zhang Jiajun , Lee Wayne Yuk Wai , Cheng Jack Chun Yiu , Lam Tsz Ping , Lau Adam Yiu Chung 

TITLE=Handgrip strength assessment at baseline in addition to bone parameters could potentially predict the risk of curve progression in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pediatrics

VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2023.1258454

DOI=10.3389/fped.2023.1258454

ISSN=2296-2360

ABSTRACT=Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) shows deranged bone and muscle qualities which are important prognostic factors for curve progression. This retrospective case-control study aimed to investigate whether in addition to the bone parameters, the baseline muscle parameters could predict curve progression in AIS. One hundred and twenty-six female patients with AIS aged 12-14 years old at first clinical visit and had been followed up every 6 months longitudinally (average 4.08 years) until reaching skeletal maturity were included with their records reviewed in the study. They were sub-grouped into progressive and stable groups (increased Cobb angle ≥ or < 6˚ respectively) and evaluated clinical and radiological assessments. Forty-four AIS (34.9%) had an increase of Cobb angle ≥ 6˚ before skeletal maturity.Progressive AIS had lower weight and skeletal maturity, lower trunk (5.7%, p=0.027) and arm lean mass (8.9%, p<0.050), weaker dominant handgrip strength (8.8%, p=0.027), deranged cortical compartment (lower vBMD by 6.5%, p=0.002) and lower bone mechanical properties (stiffness and estimated failure load lowered by 13.2% (p=0.005) and 12.5% (p=0.004)). The best cut-off of maximum dominant handgrip strength is 19.75 kg for distinguishing progressive AIS from stable AIS (75% sensitivity and 52.4% specificity, p=0.011).