• Heidi Mannström, Juhani Multanen, Jari Ylinen, Arto Hautala, Arttu Peuna, Lauri Karttunen, Liisa Pekkanen, and Kati Kyrölä.
• University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä Educational Consortium Gradia.
• Spine. 2024 Oct 9.

Study DesignProspective case series.ObjectiveTo study the natural course of adult spinal deformity (ASD) over a10-year period and the determinants associated with postural malalignments.Summary Of Background DataASD comprises a heterogeneous spectrum of abnormalities of the thoracolumbar spine throughout adulthood. Radiographic deterioration of sagittal alignment is a combination of decreased lumbar lordosis (LL), PI-related retroversion of the pelvic tilt (PT), anteriorizing sagittal vertical axis (SVA) and increased T1 pelvic angle (TPA).MethodsThe full spine radiographs were taken to measure the SRS-Schwab sagittal modifiers PI-LL, PT and SVA to measure the possible change in severity of deformity from the 204 volunteer participants (mean age 62.7 years, 61% female), which were 32% of the 637 consecutive patients with prolonged back pain who originally joined the study in 2012-2013. Each participant completed the Scoliosis Research Society 22r (SRS-22r) questionnaire.ResultsThe mean change in the SRS-Schwab score was 0.4 units (baseline 1.1 vs. follow-up 1.5, P < 0.001) implying deterioration of the spinal deformity. The SRS-Schwab score decreased (n=76, 37%), remained the same (n=102, 50%) or improved (n=26, 13%). Four predictive factors for a change of sagittal alignment were found, of which the poor score in the SRS-22r function domain (P=0.049) and severe pelvic tilt (PT greater than 30°, P=0.006) predicted the change.ConclusionThis study showed the variability in how sagittal alignment of the spine change during the 10-year follow-up period. The ASD patients with poor self-assessed functional ability and disturbed pelvic position were associated with the risk of deterioration in spinopelvic alignment. The diversity in the natural course of ASD and the known risk factors highlights the need for tailored advice when planning preventive treatment procedures for ASD patients.Level Of Evidence3.Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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