Mapping the Literature on AIS: A Scoping Review of AIS, Health Disparities, and Spinal Presentation

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) affects 2–3% of adolescents and is influenced by multiple demographic and social factors. This scoping review evaluates the frequency and scope of health disparity reporting in U.S. AIS literature, focusing on initial spinal presentation and curve progression. A systematic search of six databases identified 15 eligible studies published after 2000. Results indicate that race, insurance status, and gender are most frequently reported, while socioeconomic status, Area Deprivation Index, and geographic location are rarely analyzed. These gaps highlight the need for standardized, comprehensive reporting to inform equitable care and guide future research in AIS.