Doctors are hoping that the study, the first of its kind in Asia, will help them determine what causes lumbar scoliosis - a condition that makes the lower spine curve sideways. It can eventually lead to back and leg pain, making it hard for patients to walk.

Conducted by a team of spine surgeons at National University Hospital (NUH), the study revealed that 9 per cent of those aged 40 and above have the condition.

This is the first large-scale study done in Asia and is in line with a study carried out in North America, which showed similar results.

Although the numbers are not alarming, the condition could become more prevalent as the population ages, said Professor Wong Hee Kit, chairman of the Orthopaedics and Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery Cluster at National University Health System (NUHS).

He said that scoliosis in older patients results from wear and tear on the spine. It can compress nerves and cause back pain.

'A patient could get intense pain just from walking long distances, shopping or even taking their grandchildren to school,' he said.

Researchers examined scans done on the lower backs of 5,500 random patients over 21/2 years.

They found that four times more patients in their 80s had lumbar scoliosis than those in their 40s. The study also revealed that the condition is 1.6 times more common in females.

It also surfaces more than twice as often in Chinese and Malays than Indians.

'Once we have an idea of prevalence, we can then start to identify patients and find out why some are pre-disposed and some are not,' said Prof Wong.

The findings were revealed during the opening of the University Spine Centre at NUH. It was opened officially by the Ministry of Health's director of medical services, Professor K. Satkunanantham.

The new centre, which opened its doors in March, has combined NUH's spine services under one roof.

A team of five full-time spine surgeons will manage the centre on a rotational basis and provide services like physiotherapy, X-rays, pre-surgery assessments and counselling.

jessicaj@sph.com.sg