To the Editor: Dr Weinstein and colleagues1 found a wide range of long-term outcomes among
a small, geographically localized cohort of adults with a childhood history
of late-onset idiopathic scoliosis (LIS). I disagree, however, with their
conclusion that there is "little physical impairment other than back pain
and cosmetic concern." In addition to 4 deaths attributed to LIS, these individuals
reported twice the incidence of chronic pain compared with control subjects,
who were selected from very high-disability environments including hospital
clinics.