Three-year results of bracing in scoliosis

We treated 107 patients with idiopathic scoliosis with the Boston brace. The primary correction was good in all the curve patterns. The follow-up time after weaning averaged 3 years. The best final result was achieved in thoracic and lumbar curves (mean 2°). The final correction was worse in patients with an initial curve less than 30° when compared with the patients with larger curves. Except the double major curves, there was a positive correlation between the primary correction, duration of the treatment, and the final result. The results in 14 patients with bracing for 12 hours daily did not differ from the remainder. Progression of the initial curve more than 5° after the treatment was noted in 24 patients. Three patients were operated on later because of progression. We conclude that bracing can prevent progress of scoliosis.     

Majority Vote and Other Problems when using Computational Tools

Computational tools are essential for most of our research. To use these tools, one needs to know how they work. Problems in application of computational methods to variation analysis can appear at several stages and affect, for example, the interpretation of results. Such cases are discussed along with suggestions how to avoid them. The applications include incomplete reporting of methods, especially about the use of prediction tools; method selection on unscientific grounds and without consulting independent method performance assessments; extending application area of methods outside their intended purpose; use of the same data several times for obtaining majority vote; and filtering of datasets so that variants of interest are excluded. All these issues can be avoided by discontinuing the use software tools as black boxes.     

Associations between thoracic kyphosis,head posture,and craniofacial morphology in young adults

The aim of the present study was to investigate associations between thoracic hyper- and hypokyphosis, head posture, and craniofacial morphology in young adults. Using forward bending test and spinal pantographic measurements, 31 subjects, 16 with thoracic hyper- and 15 with hypokyphosis, were selected from a population-based cohort of 430 young adults. Lateral roentgen-cephalograms were taken in natural head posture and craniofacial and postural angular measurements were calculated. Any statistically significant differences between the groups - thoracic hyperkyphosis and thoracic hypokyphosis - were analysed using Student's t test. Subjects with thoracic hyperkyphosis had a larger atlantocervical angle (At/CVT, P < 0.01) than subjects with thoracic hypokyphosis. However, head position (NSL/VER)was similar in both groups, probably owing to the visual perception control of craniovertical relation. There was no statistically significant difference in craniofacial morphology between the groups.     

Maximal Bite Force and Its Association with Signs and Symptoms of TMD,Occlusion, and Body Mass Index in a Cohort of Young Adults

The purpose of this population-based cohort was to measure maximal bite force (MBF) in the molar and incisal regions and to examine whether MBF was associated with TMD, gender, occlusion (in terms of overjet, overbite, and total number of occluding contacts), and body mass index (BMI). MBF in the molar and incisal regions was measured using a calibrated method in 384 (196 males, 188 females) and 357 (181 males, 176 females) subjects, respectively. Two attempts in each region (right molar, left molar, and incisal) were made in random order. The subjects completed a multiple-choice questionnaire including subjective symptoms of TMD and were subsequently clinically examined. Helkimo's clinical dysfunction index and BMI were calculated. The mean MBF value in the molar region was significantly higher in males (878 N, SD 194) than in females (690 N, SD 175) (p<0.001). The incisal forces were 283 N (SD 95) and 226 N (SD 86) (p<0.001), respectively. According to multiple linear regression, TMJ discomfort was significantly negatively associated with MBF in the molar region (p<0.05) and overjet was significantly negatively associated with maximal incisal bite force (p<0.05). No significant associations between MBFs and body mass were found. The results demonstrate that in a population-based cohort of young adults signs, and symptoms of TMD and studied occlusal factors, unlike body mass, associate independently with MBF.     

Height of girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

In a Finnish population, the standing height of 1500 consecutive female patients aged 9-24 years (mean 13.9 years) with untreated idiopathic scoliosis of at least 10 degrees in their lateral curves was compared with the standing height of average girls. The mean magnitude of the major curves was 29.4 degrees (range 10 degrees-80 degrees), and that of the minor curves 20.3 degrees (range 0 degrees-66 degrees). A formula for the height loss caused by the lateral curves, and that caused by thoracic kyphosis, was derived. The corrected height of the girls with idiopathic scoliosis was highly significantly (P<0.001) greater than the height of average girls at the age of 11-15, and this high level of significance was present at the age of 11-13, even without correcting for the height loss caused by scoliosis. After maturation, the girls with idiopathic scoliosis were not significantly taller than average girls. On average, the magnitude of thoracic kyphosis did not affect the height of patients with scoliosis as compared with the height of normal girls of the same age.