Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42133242›Full record

ArticleSpine deformity2026

Gender-related differences in brace adherence among adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.

E Costici, S De Salvatore, R Russo, S Dorlean, L Foti, G B Dell'Isola, P F Costici

Abstract read
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Spine deformity, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

7 authors.

E CosticiDepartmental Faculty of Medicine, Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Via di Sant'Alessandro, 8, 00131, Rome, Italy. edoardo.costici@uniroma1.it.
S De SalvatoreOrthopedic Unit, Department of Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
R RussoOrthopedic Unit, Department of Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
S DorleanDepartmental Faculty of Medicine, Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Via di Sant'Alessandro, 8, 00131, Rome, Italy.
L FotiDepartmental Faculty of Medicine, Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Via di Sant'Alessandro, 8, 00131, Rome, Italy.
G B Dell'IsolaDepartmental Faculty of Medicine, Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Via di Sant'Alessandro, 8, 00131, Rome, Italy.
P F CosticiOrthopedic Unit, Department of Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAdolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is commonly treated with bracing, but the effectiveness of this approach depends on adherence to prescribed wear time. While previous studies suggest higher compliance among females, the influence of psychosocial and behavioral factors remains underexplored and the extent to which gender-based differences affect brace adherence over the course of treatment remains uncertain. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine whether males and females differ in their adherence to Chêneau brace treatment.

methodsThis retrospective observational study included patients with AIS treated with a Chêneau brace and followed for a standardized 24-month period, with analyses restricted to the first 24 months after brace prescription. Adherence to prescribed brace wear was assessed at routine follow-up visits, and clinical, radiographic, and behavioral variables were collected. Adherence trajectories over time were analyzed using longitudinal mixed-effects models to account for repeated measurements, and exploratory analyses evaluated the association between curve magnitude during follow-up and adherence.

results62 patients were included (45 females and 17 males). The mean age at brace prescription was 13.9 ± 0.8 years in females and 14.9 ± 0.7 years in males. Adherence was significantly higher in males at all evaluated timepoints. Patients engaging in both organized sports and postural gymnastics showed the highest adherence levels (77.8%), whereas inactive patients demonstrated the lowest adherence (55.0%). Curve progression occurred in 66.7% of patients with low adherence, 21.4% with moderate adherence, and 11.8% with high adherence. Adherence decreased over time in the overall cohort (78.2% at 6 months to 70.3% at 24 months), with a progressive decline observed in females and relatively stable adherence in males (time × gender interaction p < 0.001). Mean Cobb angle increased slightly during follow-up (23.9° at 6 months to 25.5° at 24 months). In exploratory longitudinal analysis, higher Cobb angles were concurrently associated with lower adherence (- 1.3% per + 1° Cobb, p < 0.001).

conclusionMales showed significantly higher adherence to brace treatment than females, differing from some previous findings reported in the literature. However, adherence varied markedly across levels of physical engagement. Adolescents who participated in organized sports had the highest adherence rates, followed by those involved in general physical activity, while inactive patients showed the lowest compliance.

Indexed as

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosisBrace adherenceChêneau braceGender differencesPhysical activity

Identifiers

PMID42133242

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.