Table 2.

Summary of risk for negative outcome in terms of various variables for idiopathic scoliosis

Outcome variable	Increased risk or prevalence?	If?
Mortality	No increased risk
Health impairment	Risk for respiratory failure after 20 years IF	Curve size >110° AND VC  % predicted <45 %
Shortness of breath	Increased risk IF	Curve size >80° OR large degrees of rotation
Curve progression	Risk for progression for	Single thoracic curve 50–75° <1°/year
Back pain	Increased prevalence, but mostly mild/occasional	Lumbar curves not worse
Quality of life and function	As the normal population
Cosmetic problems	Not a problem in most patients