Work

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Early-Onset Scoliosis: A Systematic Review

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are an important component with which to evaluate the impact of orthopaedic care on patients and their families. The purpose of this study was to systematically review and evaluate currently available PROMs used for early-onset scoliosis (EOS) populations. Methods: A systematic review was conducted of EOS studies that reported PROMs between January 2010 and August 2025. Two experts confirmed eligibility and then evaluated included publications using the Evaluating Measures of Patient-Reported Outcomes (EMPRO) tool, a validated standardized tool used to rate PROMs. Results: A total of 772 articles were screened, with 27 articles meeting inclusion criteria for final analysis. Among those, 5 unique PROMs were utilized. Two of the top PROMs, Caregiver Priorities and Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities (CPCHILD) and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey, were reported only twice by 2 different authors and scored 67.46 and 60.4, respectively. The remaining 2 PROMs analyzed, Early-Onset Scoliosis 24-item Questionnaire (EOSQ-24) and Scoliosis Research Society-22 revised (SRS-22r) questionnaire scored the highest as per the EMPRO algorithm (88.7 and 83.1, respectively), and were reported 17 and 9 times, respectively. Conclusions: Most authors studying EOS patients use scoliosis-specific PROMs (SRS-22r or EOSQ-24). Since both scored highly with the EMPRO tool, their continued use is supported. While the SRS-22r questionnaire has remained popular given its long track record, the EOSQ-24 tool has quickly gained popularity and satisfies objective standards per the EMPRO tool. Although newer instruments such as CPCHILD and Early-Onset Scoliosis Self-Report Questionnaire are pending validation, they demonstrate promise in concept and initial evaluation. Key Concepts: (1)The Early-Onset Scoliosis 24-item Questionnaire (EOSQ-24) is the most recently developed and a highly rated patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) regarding early-onset scoliosis (EOS) that also accounts for the caregiver's experience.(2)The Scoliosis Research Society-22 revised questionnaire is a well-established and highly rated PROM for EOS, though it may be less applicable to the broader heterogeneous population of EOS patients than the more clinically homogeneous adolescent idiopathic patient population.(3)The Early-Onset Scoliosis Self-Report Questionnaire can help minimize reported discrepancies between a child and their caregiver but is dependent on the patient's age and cognitive capacity. Level of Evidence: IV, Expert Opinion.

Source: Journal of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America

DOI: 10.1016/j.jposna.2026.100469