Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39371855›Full record

ArticleCureus2024

Awareness of Current Surgical Practice for Congenital Scoliosis and Optimal Timing of Treatment Among Physicians and Patients' Families in Saudi Arabia.

Salma S Alshammasi, Alzahra B Almughlliq, Noor A Alqrunawi, Kawther A Alsheddi, Sultan Alsalmi

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Salma S AlshammasiMedicine and Surgery, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, SAU.
Alzahra B AlmughlliqMedicine and Surgery, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, SAU.
Noor A AlqrunawiMedicine and Surgery, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, SAU.
Kawther A AlsheddiMedicine and Surgery, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, SAU.
Sultan AlsalmiNeurosurgery, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, SAU.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCongenital scoliosis (CS) is a developmental spinal deformity characterized by an abnormal curvature of the spine, affecting one in 1,000 births. The mainstay of treatment involves either observation or surgery in significant curve progression. The optimal timing of surgical intervention is debated, with early intervention preferred. Therefore, understanding physicians' and patients' families' perspectives is crucial for optimizing surgical outcomes in CS.

objectiveTo assess the awareness and knowledge of physicians and patients' families regarding current, as well as new surgical practices and the optimal timing of treatment for CS.

methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia using an online self-administered questionnaire distributed through social media platforms and neurosurgery clinics. Levels of awareness were assessed by a knowledge-scoring system.

resultsThe study involved 403 participants, primarily patients' families (85.1%, N = 343) and physicians (14.9%, N = 60). The results show that physicians had a significantly higher correct response than patients' families regarding the ideal age for surgical correction of CS, the timing of surgical intervention whether before or after maturity, and the role of conservative management, as evident from statistically significant p-values of <0.001, 0.031, and <0.001, respectively. On the contrary, patients' families excelled in understanding interventions irrespective of symptomatic status if Cobb's angle is 40 degrees or above, with a statistically significant p-value of 0.031. Both groups exhibited a good level of overall knowledge, as evidenced by mean awareness scores of 12.18 and 11.64, respectively. Additionally, physicians had a statistically significant higher level of awareness compared to patients' families, with a p-value of (0.014). However, both groups demonstrated poor knowledge of the latest techniques, including distraction-based magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGRs), growth-guided modern Luque trolleys, and posterior dynamic deformity correction (ApiFix).

conclusionThe mean awareness score of both physicians and patients' families indicates a good level of knowledge. However, both groups exhibited poor knowledge in relation to the optimal timing of treatment and new surgical techniques.

Indexed as

awarenesscongenital scoliosisoptimal timingphysicians and patients’ familiessurgical intervention

Identifiers

PMID39371855
PMCPMC11452713

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.