Clin Should Elbow.  2020 Sep;23(3):125-130. 10.5397/cise.2020.00178.

Prevalence of rotator cuff diseases in adults older than 40 years in or near Chuncheon city, Korea

• Kim DY
• Hwang JT
• Lee SS
• Lee JH
• Cho MS

• KMID: 2505910
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5397/cise.2020.00178

Abstract

Background
To determine the prevalence of rotator cuff diseases in a population older than 40 years in or nearby Chuncheon city, Republic of Korea.
Methods
Sixty shoulders of 30 people older than 40 years who participated in a health lecture were examined for free by an orthopedic surgeon. Visual analog scale of pain and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores were assigned, and routine physical examination was performed. Ultrasonography was performed on the shoulder.
Results
On ultrasonographic examination, there were one shoulder with full thickness rotator cuff tear, 20 of 60 (33%) with partial thickness rotator cuff tear, five of 60 (8%) with calcific tendinitis, one of 60 (2%) with tear of the long head of the biceps, and five of 50 (8%) with tendinitis of the long head of the biceps. Participants older than 60 years showed significantly high proportions of lesion of the long head of the biceps and rotator cuff diseases (P=0.019 and P=0.015, respectively). Participants who performed physical labor had high proportions of rotator cuff tear and rotator cuff disease (P=0.001 and P<0.001, respectively).
Conclusions
Rotator cuff diseases showed a high prevalence in elderly persons and resulted in a decrease in shoulder function.

Keyword

rotator cuff disease; elderly person; prevalence; occupation; ultrasonography