Background: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a condition of abnormal spinal curvature in 2% to 4% of adolescents, with no clear etiology. Scoliosis screening is mostly subjective, with limited utilization of physical or mental health symptoms and angle of trunk rotation (ATR) measurements with a scoliometer. We correlated physical and mental symptoms in adolescents in South-East Nigeria with ATR measurements.

Design/Methods: During a medical mission outreach, a cross-sectional survey was administered to 37 children aged 10-19, following institutional review board approval. A questionnaire evaluated Physical Symptom Severity (PSS), Mental Symptoms Severity (MSS), and Physical Activity Score (PAS) with a grading of low, medium or high. Adam’s Forward Bend Test was performed to assess for scoliosis and ATR was measured using a scoliometer.

Results: Kids aged 10-12 (54%), 13-15 (29.7%), and 16-18 (16.2%) years were selected. 54.2% were female (n=20), 45.9% were male (n=17). Kids with a higher MSS score were older (P= 0.0042, r= 0.459) and felt shorter than their peers (P=0.00842, r=0.427) Higher PSS score correlated with breathing problems (P=0.055, r= 0.318), constipation (P= 0.0036, r= 0.473), uneven hips (P= 0.0624, r= 0.314) and motion sickness (P= 0.00802, r= 0.429). MSS and PSS each positively correlated with strong negative emotions and pain in several body parts. Kids with higher PAS grade had lower ATR (P= 0.0425, r = -0.39), higher MSS Score, (P= 0.0333), and decreased self-esteem (P= 0.007, r= -0.434). Kids with a high ATR were more likely to have a high thoraco-lumbar (P= 0.0049, r= 0.525) and lumbar rotation, (P= 8.7E-07, r = 0.792). 24% (n=9) were referred to a physician for ATR of 5 or higher.

Conclusion: Screening high school aged children for physical and mental health symptoms could identify those at risk for scoliosis. Kids referred for a high ATR were more likely to have a high thoraco-lumbar and lumbar rotation. Educating kids with scoliosis about physical and mental health symptoms could make them feel less alone. ATR could be a useful objective screening tool for scoliosis in resource-limited communities, in the absence of physical signs or symptoms.