ANALYSIS OF UPPER AND LOWER THORACIC KYPHOSIS IN HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS

The aim of this prospective radiological analysis is to determine the normal values of the kyphosis of the upper and lower thoracic segments, and to analyze their variation with age and sex, as well as to investigate if there is any interaction between them. The study includes 157 healthy individuals without any complaints related to their spine, and a thoracic kyphosis of not more than 50 degrees. Subjects were evaluated by medical history, physical examination, and standing spinal roentgenograms. Age and sex of the patient, together with the degree of upper (T2–T6), lower (T6–T12) and the total (T2–T12) thoracic kyphosis – measured by the Cobb method – were the parameters used for statistical analysis. There were 49 males and 108 females with the mean age of 42 ± 16 years (range, 11–76). Mean values of the upper, lower, and total thoracic kyphosis were found to be 13° ± 6° (range, 2–30°), 21° ± 8° (range, 4–43°), and 34° ± 9° (range, 11–50°), respectively. An older age correlated to a higher degree of kyphosis in the lower thoracic segment (p = 0.007), without an increase in the upper thoracic kyphosis. There was also a negative correlation between the degree of the upper and lower thoracic kyphosis (p = 0.015).