Background: Hyperkyphosis is a spinal deformity causing an exaggerated anterior curvature of the thoracic spine. While the causes and consequences of hyperkyphosis are not well understood, hyperkyphosis may be associated with an increased risk for clinical consequences and other adverse health outcomes, such as functional limitations, musculoskeletal alterations, poor quality of life and mortality.
Method: A retrospective study was conducted of 2500 patients at an Osteoporosis Clinic in northeast Georgia who sought initial treatment between January 2004 and March 2015 to evaluate the associations between spine curve measurements and functional motion associated with spine load, balance, strength, and flexibility during daily living tasks. Analyses conducted examined the associations between kyphosis and functional motion, as well as their associations with quality of life. These associations were assessed using the Pearson-product-moment correlational coefficient and Spearman's Rho.
Results: The author of the article observed that degree of kyphosis was significantly associated with functional motion (r = -.274, p < .01) and kyphosis was also significantly associated with quality of life (r = -.071, p <. 01) Scores on functional movement were also associated with quality of life (r = .221, p< .01). Despite these findings, the strength of these correlations were small.
Conclusions: While functional motion and kyphosis can impact quality of life, these associations may not be as strong as previously believed. This study calls for further exploration of the unique relationship of the multiple factors that can impact perceived quality of life, and a further analysis of confounding variables.