Bone mineral density in children and young adults with idiopathic scoliosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose

Osteoporosis is a risk factor for idiopathic scoliosis (IS) progression, but it is still unclear whether IS patients have bone mineral density (BMD) loss and a higher risk of osteoporosis than asymptomatic people. This systematic review aims to explore the differences in BMD and prevalence of osteoporosis between the IS group and the control group.

Methods

We searched 5 health science-related databases. Studies that were published up to February 2022 and written in English and Chinese languages were included. The primary outcome measures consisted of BMD z score, the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia, and areal and volumetric BMD. Bone morphometry, trabecular microarchitecture, and quantitative ultrasound measures were included in the secondary outcome measures. The odds ratio (OR) and the weighted mean difference (WMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to pool the data.

Results

A total of 32 case–control studies were included. The pooled analysis revealed significant differences between the IS group and the control group in BMD z score (WMD −1.191; 95% CI  − 1.651 to −0.732, p  <  0.001). Subgroup analysis showed significance in both female (WMD −1.031; 95% CI −1.496 to −0.566, p  <  0.001) and male participants (WMD −1.516; 95% CI −2.401 to −0.632, p  =  0.001). The prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in the group with IS was significantly higher than in the control group (OR  =  6.813, 95% CI 2.815–16.489, p  <  0.001; OR 1.879; 95% CI 1.548–2.281, p  <  0.000). BMD measures by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and peripheral quantitative computed tomography showed a significant decrease in the IS group (all p  <  0.05), but no significant difference was found in the speed of sound measured by quantitative ultrasound between the two groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Both the male and female IS patients had a generalized lower BMD and an increased prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis than the control group. Future research should focus on the validity of quantitative ultrasound in BMD screening. To control the risk of progression in IS patients, regular BMD scans and targeted intervention are necessary for IS patients during clinical practice.