International Journal of Academic Scientific Research ISSN: 2272-6446 Volume 5, Issue 4 (November - December 2017), PP 51- 60 www.ijasrjournal.org www.ijasrjournal.org 51 | Page PREVALENCE AND DETERMINANTS OF IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS IN A PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL IN TIRANA, ALBANIA Andrea Giacalone 1* , Marino Cavalluzzi 1 , Martina Mazzone 1 , Gennaro Rocco 2 , Enzo Ruberti 3 ¹Department of Medicine, Faculty of Physiotherapy, Catholic University “Our Lady of Good Counsel”, Albania. 2 Department of Medicine, President of Physiotherapy Degree Course, Catholic University “Our Lady of Good Counsel”, Albania. 3 PhD s. “ Sapienza” University, Italy. Corresponding author*: Dr. Andrea Giacalone. Address: Catholic University “Our lady of Good Counsel” Rr. Dritan Hoxha, Tirane, Albania. Email: giacalonericci@yahoo.it Abstract: Backgournd: It was decided to carry out the first screening project on idiopathic scoliosis and possible comorbidity with temporomandibular joint dysfunction in Tirana. Methods: The cases of scoliosis previously diagnosed were subsequently subjected to diagnostic tests for comorbidity with the temporomandibular joint by referring to the Helkimo indexes. Results: Of the 26 females who were positive to the examination objective, only 11 had radiological examination and found that out of 11, 8 showed scoliosis, with a margin of error of 3 subjects. Of the 24 males, who were positive to the examination objective, 7 continued with the radiological investigation, to which they were all positive. Finally, 100% of subjects with concurrent diagnosis of scoliosis have at least one of the protomembrane symptoms of mandibular temporomandibular dysfunction. Conclusions: Eighteen of the 50 positive children on the target examination have performed the X-ray examination and in fifteen cases the diagnosis of scoliosis has been confirmed. Concerning the scoliosis ATM correlation, 100% of subjects with concurrent diagnosis of scoliosis have at least one of the protomembrane symptoms of mandibular temporomandibular dysfunction. Limitations: The socio- economic impact has been the most important limit. Keyword: idiopathic scoliosis; screening; prevalence; Tirana, Albania, temporomandibular joint, comorbidity. INTRODUCTION Scoliosis is a spinal pathology characterized by a twist of the vertebrae on the three planes of space; on the frontal plane there is a lateral flexion movement, on the sagittal plane the alteration of the curves, on the axial plane a rotation movement [1-3]. The classic definition of the Scoliosis Research Society, defines scoliosis as a curve with more than 10 ° Cobb on the frontal plane [1,4]. It can be classified in different typologies depending on age of onset, etiology, severity and