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Objective. This study aimed to investigate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and body image disturbance of adolescents with untreated severe idiopathic early-onset scoliosis (IEOS) in a developing country.

Summary of Background Data. IEOS has the potential to progress rapidly and may lead to significant disability if left untreated. Moreover, it can lead to significant body image changes that may lead to social and psychological stresses on developing adolescents. In developing countries, untreated severe IEOS among adolescents is common.

Methods. The Scoliosis Research Society 22 revision (SRS-22r) Arabic version questionnaire and Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire-Scoliosis version (BIDQ-S) were used to investigate the HRQOL and body image disturbance of these patients.

Results. A total of 137 patients with untreated severe IEOS (mean age, 15.5 years; range, 12–21 years) were included: group 1 (76 patients) with major curve angles of 90° to 120°, group 2 (61 patients) with major curve angles above 120°, and group 3 comprising 50 healthy controls were used for comparison. No significant differences were found regarding age, sex, and body mass index among the groups. Group 1 had significantly lower scores than group 3 in all SRS-22r domains (P < 0.001). Group 2 had significantly lower scores than group 1 in all SRS-22r domains, except for satisfaction (P < 0.005); the satisfaction domain had 100% worst answers in groups 1 and 2. Group 2 had worse scores than group 1 in all BIDQ-S questions (P < 0.001). No significant differences were found between males and females in all SRS-22r domains and BIDQ-S questions (P > 0.05). Further, 13% to 100% and 25% to 71% of the patients provided the worst answers to the SRS-22r and BIDQ-S questions, respectively.

Conclusion. The HRQOL and body image of the adolescents with untreated severe IEOS in a developing country were severely impaired.