The impact of patient self assessment of deformity on HRQL in adults with scoliosis

The WRVAS and the SF-36v2, a HRQL measure, were administered to 71 adults with scoliosis, along with a form to report age and gender. Preliminary validation analyses were performed on the WRVAS (floor and ceiling effects, internal consistency and collinearity, correlations with the SF-36v2, and multiple regression with the WRVAS total score as the predictor, and SF-36v2 scores as outcomes).The psychometric properties of the WRVAS were acceptable. Older participants perceived their deformities as more severe than younger participants. More severe deformities were associated with lower scores on the Physical Component Summary Score of the SF-36v2. Total WRVAS score also predicted Physical Component Summary scores.The results of the current study indicate that the WRVAS is a reliable tool to use with adult patients, and that patient self assessment of deformity shared a relationship with physical rather than psychological aspects of HRQL. The current and previous studies concur that revision of the WRVAS is necessary to more accurately represent the diversity of scoliosis deformities. Ability to identify disturbing aspects of deformity could potentially be improved by evaluating each WRVAS items against indicators of pain, physical/psychosocial function, and self image from previous measures such as the SRS, SF-36 or BSSQ-deformity.Outcomes from psychosocial and health related quality of life (HRQL) studies indicate that body image is a complex and significant issue for patients with scoliosis and their clinicians [1,2]. According to the body image literature, medical conditions threaten the stability of patient body image via changes to bodily sensation, functioning and appearance [3]. In particular, disfigurement or deformity can promote a negative self image within the individual, who may also experience difficulties with social interaction due to potential adverse reactions from others as a result of the visibility of their condition [4]. As scoliosis is rarely lif