Extent of Depression in Juvenile and Adolescent Patients with Idiopathic Scoliosis During Treatment with Braces

OBJECTIVE: We compared the depression levels of juvenile and adolescent patients with idiopathic scoliosis who had undergone bracing and identified the factors that influenced the extent of depression in these patients. METHODS: Our study included 112 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and 96 patients with juvenile idiopathic scoliosis (JIS). The demographic characteristics and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children scores were evaluated to select the relative factors of depression in patients and parents. Cognitive evaluations, using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised scale, and an independent evaluation using the Functional Independence Measure for Children scale, were conducted. RESULTS: The mean Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children score in the AIS group (38.3 +/- 3.0) was greater than that in the JIS group (23.8 +/- 4.6), a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Age at initial bracing, bracing duration, parental depression, Cobb angle at initial bracing, cognitive function, independence, peer problems, prosocial behaviors, emotional symptoms, and total difficulties were significant factors in our regression model for JIS. The AIS patients showed similar results, except for the age at initial bracing, cognitive function, and independence. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with AIS and JIS who had undergone bracing showed differences in the extent of depression, and female adolescents were more vulnerable to depressive psychological status. Higher levels of cognitive function and independence and older age at bracing, longer bracing duration, larger Cobb angle, negative parental attitudes, and undesirable Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire scores contributed to greater depression.