Screening for abnormal angle of trunk rotation among adolescents in Yichang city

Total 3 483 students in 4 to 9 grade from primary and middle school in Xiling District of Yichang city were selected by stratified cluster random sampling method between September and October 2016 to participate in screening for abnormal angle of trunk rotation (ATR), including 1 797 boys and 1 686 girls aged 9-15 years. The ATR was measured with Scoliometer and the ATR >5° was defined as abnormal. The overall abnormal ATR rate was 7.60%(265/3 483), that in boys was 4.73%(85/1797) and in girls was 10.68%(180/1 686) (χ2=43.75, P<0.05). The abnormal ATR rate in age group 13-15 was higher than that in age group 9-12 [10.62%(159/1 496) vs. 5.33%(106/1 987), χ2=36.92, P<0.01]. Students with low BMI had higher abnormal ATR rate than that with normal or higher BMI(χ2=30.00, P<0.01); and students with left handedness had lower abnormal ATR rate than that with right handedness or double handedness(χ2=6.59, P=0.04). The abnormal ATR rate was not associated with dietary habits or sports in the daily life of students.The results show that gender, age, BMI and handedness affect abnormal rate of ATR. Key words: Adolescent; Scoliosis; Cross-sectional studies