Epidemiological Investigation and Risk Factor Analysis of the Elder Patients with Degenerative Scoli-osis in DanYang

Abstract：Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the natural history of degenerative scoliosis and the relation-ship between risk factors and scoliosis progression,in order to prevent the degenerative scoliosis. After data collection,extrac-tion and analysis,we assessed the relationship between risk factors( e. g. obesity,osteoporosis,smoking,and the estrogen level) and this disease. Based on this study,we hope that more suitable management could be provided to the patients,and their quali-ty of life could be improved. Methods This was a cross sectional study,cluster random sampling was performed in Danyang area. A total of 795 people were undertaken face to face questionnaire in 3735 samples with sampling ratio 21. 29%. Sample with diabetes,chronic kidney disease,rheumatoid arthritis,history with severe trauma or tumor were excluded. All samples were measured of height and weight,shot radiographs,calculated body mass index( BMI),Cobb angle,sacral anterior tilt index,and tested bone mineral density( BMD)by using dual energy X-ray. Female was taken estradiol level test. Statistical analysis u-sing SPSS 18. 0 software. The overall data of gender,age were analyzed with use of rank sum test. The correlation analysis of each parameter according to different age,BMD was analyzed by trend chi-square test. Age,gender,heavily smoking and pas-sive smoking were analyzed by chi-square test. P﹤0. 05 for the difference was statistically significant. Results Bone mineral density was lower in people with scoliosis than people without scoliosis. BMI was higher in people with scoliosis than people without scoliosis,but without significant difference among male. Gender had no significant difference between the two groups. The estrogen level had positive relationship with BMI in 3 age groups of less than 65,66~70,and greater than 81. The distri-bution of estrogen level was different between the groups of less than 65,66~70,and greater than 71 But there were no statisti-cally significant differences in the groups of 76~80 and greater than 81 groups. The proportion between the two groups of heavy smokers and passive smokers was not statistically significant. Sacral anterior tilt index in two groups have no significant differ-ence . Conclusion Anti-osteoporosis treatment for scoliosis patients is very important because the decrease of bone density will increase scoliosis,especially for post-menopausal women. Though there is no clear correlation between the occurrence of scolio-sis and estrogen levels,the BMI of scoliosis group is higher than that of the control group,so it is recommended that women should control their BMI. Exogenous estrogen replacement therapy in scoliosis patients has no definitive treatment effect,and there are some additional risks.