Is refractive error a factor affecting scoliosis?

PLoS One. 2024 May 13;19(5):e0303324. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303324. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Background: Scoliosis is one of the most common surgical disorders of the pediatric spine. Refractive errors are commonly associated with vision impairment worldwide. However, it is currently unclear whether refractive error correlates directly with the development of scoliosis.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 2023, and a stratified cluster sampling technique was employed among school-aged students in Nantong City, China. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate specific correlations between scoliosis and related parameters; various types of refractive errors were also included in the study.

Results: The prevalence of scoliosis among school-aged students was 2.2% in Nantong city. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and anisometropia were not correlated with the development of scoliosis (all, p≥0.05). Lower body mass index (BMI) [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.88-0.95; p<0.001], living in rural areas (aOR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.05-1.86; p = 0.020), and older age (aOR = 1.32; 95% CI: 1.25-1.38; p<0.001) had significantly higher risks of scoliosis.

Conclusions: Refractive errors did not correlate with the development of scoliosis. However, BMI, living in rural areas and older age did correlate with the development of scoliosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Body Mass Index
  • Child
  • China / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Refractive Errors* / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Scoliosis* / complications
  • Scoliosis* / epidemiology

Grants and funding

This work was supported by funds from Nantong Science and Technology Bureau (Zhimin Sun, No. MSZ2023103), Scientific Research Project of Nantong Health Committee (Qi Cai, No. MS2023029 and Yue Zhou, No. QNZ2023033), Research and Development Fund of Kangda College, Nanjing Medical University (Yan Zhu, No. KD2022KYJJZD017) and Nantong University Clinical Medicine Project (Yan Zhu, No. 2022LZ004).