The prevalence and characteristics of primary and middle-school students in China: a Meta-analysis based on 72 epidemiological research

English Keywords:Scoliosis  Students of primary and middle school  Mainland China  Epidemiological research  Meta analysis

English Abstract:

  【Abstract】 Objectives: A Meta-analysis was performed based on epidemiological studies, to identify the prevalence of scoliosis as well as the spatio-temporal characteristics in primary and middle-school students in China. Methods: The databases of PubMed, Scopus, WanFang, CNKI, NSTL and WeiPu were screened on scoliosis from January, 1980 to December, 2020. The included studies were cross-sectional research on scoliosis of children and adolescent. The diagnosis of scoliosis based on general examination, angle of trunk rotation, moire photograph or radiography. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two independent reviewers, included the author and publication year, region, screening number, positive number of primary screening, second screening and third screening, and scoliosis type. Apart from overall Meta-analysis, the subgroup analysis were respectively performed in terms of study period(before and after 2000 year) and study regions(Western, Middle and Eastern Region). The analysis was to calculate odds ratios(ORs) and 95% confidential interval(CI). The prevalence of primary and final screening of scoliosis was the main outcomes. Then, the correlation between prevalence and geographical factors was also analyzed. Results: A total of 72 studies referring to 28 provinces with 2493217 participants were eligible. The mean positive rate of primary and secondary screening was (4.40±2.81)% and (2.18±1.68)%. The prevalence was (1.23±1.06)% and the prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis(IS) was (1.16±0.94)%. The positive rate by primary and final screening both showed higher in girls than boys(OR=1.36, 95%CI=1.14-1.62 and OR=1.57, 95%CI=1.37-1.80, respectively). The outcomes in subgroup analysis was in consistence with the overall analysis no matter the study period or study regions. The proportion of mild severity was 79.5%, and the prevalence of IS was lower in Eastern- than Middle-Region(P=0.030). There was not identified linear correlation between the prevalence and socio-demographic index, altitude and latitude, while the prevalence showed an increasing trend since 2008. Conclusions: The prevalence of scoliosis in primary and middle-school students in China was 1.23% and 1.57-times higher in girls. The prevalence showed an increasing trend since 2008.