%0 Journal Article
%T Representation and Race in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Research: Disparities in Curve Magnitude and Follow-Up.
%A Todderud JE
%A Jilakara B
%A Kelly MP
%A Marks MC
%A Fletcher ND
%A Pahys JM
%A Brooks JT
%A Newton PO
%A  
%A Larson AN
%J Global Spine J
%V 0
%N 0
%D 2024 Jul 21
%M 39033487
%F 2.23
%R 10.1177/21925682241266787
%X <B>METHODS: </B>Prospective Cohort Study.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>The present study aims to determine if the racial representation of patients enrolled in a large prospective scoliosis registry is reflective of the general United States population. Further, we studied whether there was an association between race, pre-operative parameters, outcomes and loss to follow-up.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Prospectively collected data for patients who underwent spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) was reviewed, including self-reported race/ethnicity. The U.S. pediatric population and U.S. patients enrolled in the prospective registry were compared. The data obtained was analyzed for variations between races, for pre-operative variables and follow-up.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Of the 2210 included patients in the registry 66% of patients reported as White, while 52% of the 2018 U.S. pediatric population reported as White. 15% of the registry reported as Hispanic/Latino compared to 22% of the U.S. pediatric population, 13% Black compared to 14% of the U.S. pediatric population, and 4% Asian compared to 5% of the U.S. pediatric population. Asian and White patients had statistically significant higher 2-year follow-up in all but one of six enrollment sites (P < 0.001). Native American, Other, and Hispanic/Latino patients had the highest BMIs. Native American and Black patients had the highest pre-op thoracic Cobb angles. Pre-op ages of Black, Hispanic, and Native American patients were statistically lower (P < 0.01).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>This study demonstrates the association between race and patient follow-up and pre-operative factors in patients who underwent surgery for AIS. Black, Native American, and Hispanic populations were underrepresented both at pre-op and follow-up when compared to their relative proportion in the U.S. pediatric population.