New DNA Test Highly Accurate in Predicting Curve Progression in Scoliosis Patients

April 11, 2011 – NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) is among the first in the United States and the first in the Chicago area to offer a remarkable new DNA test to help physicians determine which children diagnosed with mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) are least likely to develop severe scoliosis, a potentially debilitating condition that could require surgery.

This simple DNA test allows physicians to personalize scoliosis evaluation and care for each patient at the time of initial diagnosis. The test has the potential to save the majority of children—who are at low-risk of developing a severe curve—from extensive monitoring, unnecessary physician visits and X-Rays, as well as the stress associated with the uncertainty of scoliosis curve progression.

To administer the test, physicians simply collect a saliva sample that is sent to a laboratory for genetic analysis. The test analyzes specific DNA markers and assigns a numerical score between 1 and 200 as to the likelihood of curve progression based on the child’s DNA and current Cobb angle, a measurement commonly used to evaluate the degree of curvature. A score of 50 or less is considered low risk, 51 to 180 is intermediate risk and 181 to 200 is high risk.

“The higher the score, the greater the risk of curvature progression and the greater the need for medical care,” said Eldin Karaikovic, M.D., PhD, senior attending orthopaedic spine surgeon with NorthShore Medical Group. “Conversely, a lower score means less potential risk of curvature progression and minimal need for medical treatment. This test helps the physician to determine the best possible management of care for each patient after initial diagnosis.”

The National Scoliosis Foundation (NSF) reports that scoliosis affects about 7 million people, mostly children. But studies show that only 1 to 4 percent of patients diagnosed with scoliosis experience curve progression severe enough to warrant surgery. Most children with mild AIS (curves up to 25 degrees) are monitored for possible progression until they stop growing.  

For now, the DNA test has been approved for Caucasian children between ages 9 and 13 diagnosed with mild AIS. However, additional research is currently being conducted with other ethnicities/races to assess accuracy of this test.