The concentrations of testosterone and estradiol in girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

AIM: The role of hormones in development and progression of scoliosis, although suggested, remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of steroid sex hormones in girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

METHODS: A group of 27 girls, aged 12-17 years (mean+/-SD = 14.8+/-1.5 years) in whom right thoracic scoliosis was diagnosed (Cobb angle was from 10 degrees to 55 degrees, mean+/-SD = 30+/-13.8 degrees; Risser test was in the range from 2 to 4, mean+/-SD = 3.7+/-0.2) was examined. The control group included 7 girls, aged 13-17 years (mean+/-SD = 14.3+/-1.8 years) with slight lumbar functional scoliosis 10 degrees to 20 degrees to the left (mean+/-SD = 11.4+/-3.8 degrees). In both groups the concentrations testosterone was tested on 8th day of menstrual cycle, whereas estrogen concentrations were measured on 8th and 20th day of the cycle.

RESULTS: Increased testosterone level above the reference values was found in girls with AIS. The observed differences in both groups in estrogen levels in folicular and luteal phase were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS: Possibly, the evaluation of testosterone level could be an important prognostic factor for scoliosis progression. The studies to be continued.