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Abstract from the SRS 2001 Annual Meeting
J. A. Lerman, MD
E. Sullivan, PhD
R. J. Haynes, MD Shriners Hospitals for
Children, Houston, Texas, USA PURPOSE: The PODCI questionnaire attempts to measure
functional outcomes in pediatric orthopaedics. The questionnaire includes functional
outcome measures of Upper extremity function, Transfers & basic mobility, Sports
& physical function, Comfort/pain, and Happiness with physical condition. The
questionnaire was used to assess overall function in patients with adolescent
idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), congential scoliosis (CS), and congenital kyphosis
(CK). The scores were compared with a previously reported group of "normal" control
children. METHODS: A cohort of 251 consecutive patients seen at the spinal disorders
clinic at Shriners Hospital, Houston completed the PODCI questionnaire. Of these,
102 had AIS, 47 had CS, and 9 had CK, after exclusion of patients with neurologic
findings. Responses to the questionnaire were compared with those from the previously
reported "normal" control population of 84 children. Subgroup analyses were performed
for patients treated operatively and non-operatively, and for those with AIS,
by curve location and Cobb angle. A p value less than .05 was considered statistically
significant. RESULTS: Scores in Transfers, Sports, Comfort/Pain, and Happiness
were significantly lower than normal in AIS. In CS, scores in all categories except
Happiness were significantly lower than normal. All category scores were significantly
lower than normal in CK. In AIS, age and curve location did not influence Comfort/Pain
scores. Pain scores were significantly lower than normal for all curve locations
and for all ranges of Cobb angle, including small curves. Happiness scores were
significantly lower in AIS patients with Cobb angles ‹ 50° who had not received
surgery compared with those who had received surgery, and significantly lower
than in patients with Cobb angles ‹ 50°. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide some
normative values for the PODCI questionnaire for three specific diagnoses. Patients
with AIS and congenital scoliosis and kyphosis without neurologic findings gave
responses significantly different from normal children, and should this instrument
be used in outcome assessment, diagnosis specific responses need be considered.
Pain appeared to be a common finding with these diagnoses judging from the responses
to the questionnaire.
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