RESUMO
Objective To evaluate the health-related quality of life ( HRQL) of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis ( AIS) before treatment. Methods Sixty-two female patients with AIS were evaluated using the Chinese version of Scoliosis Research Society's outcomes instrument 22 ( SRS-22) HRQL questionnaire before treatment. The patients were categorized into thFee groups: a mild deformity group with a major curve Cobb angle less than 30° ( n =14),a moderate deformity group with Cobb angles of 30° to 50° ( n =42), and a severe deformity group with Cobb angles more than 50° ( n =6). Results The severe deformity group scored lowest in the self-image domain.There was,however,no significant difference in the functional activity,pain or mental health domain scores between the three groups. Conclusions The Chinese version of the SRS-22 HRQL questionnaire can be used to assess the HRQL of Chinese AIS patients.AIS patients with a major curve Cobb angle more than 50° have relatively low self-image scores.