Influences of Thoracic Spinal Deformity on Exercise Performance and Pulmonary Function: A Prospective Study of 168 Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Study Design: A prospective study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) measurements in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Summary Of Background Data: Patients with AIS display restrictive pulmonary dysfunction on pulmonary function testing (PFT). It remains unknown whether thoracic spinal deformity affects exercise performance.

Methods: One hundred and sixty-eight patients with AIS from January 2014 to December 2019 were included. They underwent preoperative spinal radiological assessment, PFT, and CPET. The effects of the thoracic curve magnitude, body mass index, physical activity level and history of bracing on pulmonary function and exercise performance were analyzed. The Student t test and two-tailed Pearson test were used in data analysis.

Results: We found significantly reduced forced expiratory volume in 1second (FEV1) in patients with a larger magnitude of the proximal thoracic curve (P < 0.001) and the main thoracic curve (P < 0.001). There was a negative correlation between forced vital capacity (FVC) and the magnitude of the main thoracic curve (P < 0.001) and thoracic hypokyphosis (P < 0.001). In CPET, exercise capacity indicators such as the work rate, peak oxygen intake, and heart rate were not affected by the thoracic curve magnitude. Patients with moderate or severe pulmonary dysfunction had decreased tidal volume (P = 0.01) and ventilatory reserve (P < 0.001), as well as increased respiratory frequency at maximal exercise (P = 0.01). Patients with a moderate or high physical activity level had better exercise capacity, which was reflected by a higher work rate (P = 0.009) and oxygen intake (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: There was no significant correlation between radiographic parameters and exercise capacity indicators. When the thoracic curve increased, patients had restrictive ventilatory dysfunction, which led to a tachypneic breathing pattern and reduction of ventilatory reserve during exercise. A physiological change of improved peak oxygen intake was demonstrated in patients with a moderate or high physical activity level.Level of Evidence: 3.