RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of adolescent scoliosis in Guangzhou for development of effective prevention and treatment program to the disease. METHODS: From November 2007 to July 2009, 30 142 students between 7 to 20 years old in primary and junior middle schools received physical check-up for detection of scoliosis through physical and radiographic examination. RESULTS: 211 cases were diagnosed as scoliosis (Cobb angle ≥ 10°), with the prevalence rate as 0.70%. 192 patients with idiopathic scoliosis (IS) were detected, accounting for 91.00%. There were 19 cases of congenital scoliosis, accounting for 9.00%. Sex ratio of scoliosis was 180/31. The prevalence of scoliosis was significantly lower in boys than that in girls (χ(2) = 112.332, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The crude prevalence of adolescent scoliosis was 0.70% in Guangzhou with majority of idiopathic scoliosis. Investigation on scoliosis among school-age population seemed to be important for the purposes of early diagnosis, selection of effective prevention and treatment.