Comparison of physical functions and psychosocial conditions between adolescents with pectus excavatum, pectus carinatum and healthy controls.

Purpose The present study aimed to compare the physical and psychosocial conditions of adolescents with pectus excavatum (PE) and pectus carinatum (PC), who had mild-severe deformities, with those of healthy controls (HC). Methods This study included 180 adolescents (aged 10-18 years) with pectus deformity [PE (n = 90) and PC (n = 90)] and 90 age-matched HC. The following parameters were evaluated for each participant: clinical parameters, perceived appearance of the chest area (PAC), physical functions (grip strength, flexibility, muscle strength, endurance, physical activity), posture, psychosocial conditions, and quality of life (QOL). Results Patients with PE and PC had a lower body weight, a worse, a poorer posture, lower scores for physical functions compared to the HC group (p 0.05). Conclusion Our results indicate that all adolescents with mild, moderate, or severe pectus deformity should undergo a biopsychosocial evaluation, receive psychosocial support, and be referred for physiotherapy.