The Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) and functional assessment in patients with adolescent or juvenile idiopathic scoliosis and congenital scoliosis or kyphosis.

STUDY DESIGN: An initial examination of functional assessment scores in scoliosis and kyphosis populations.

OBJECTIVE: Examination of scores from the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument for patients with idiopathic scoliosis, congenital scoliosis, and congenital kyphosis, comparing scores with those of children without orthopedic disabilities.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Little information has been presented regarding performance of scoliosis patients on the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument.

METHODS: A total of 102 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, 47 with congenital scoliosis without kyphosis, and 9 with congenital kyphosis completed the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument. Responses were compared with those from a "normal" population. Subgroup analyses were performed for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Scores in Transfers, Sports, Comfort, and Happiness were significantly lower than "normal" in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. In congenital scoliosis without kyphosis, scores in all categories except Happiness were significantly lower than "normal." All category scores were significantly lower than "normal" in congenital kyphosis. In adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, age and curve location did not influence Comfort scores. Comfort scores were significantly lower than "normal" for all curve locations and for all ranges of Cobb angle. Happiness scores were significantly lower in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients with Cobb angles >50 degrees who had not received surgery when compared with either patients who had received surgery or patients with Cobb angles <50 degrees.

CONCLUSION: These findings provide some normative values for the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument for three specific diagnoses. Patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, congenital scoliosis, and congenital kyphosis gave responses significantly different from "normal" children. Pain appeared to be a common finding with these diagnoses.