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Epidemiology of Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review

Littlewood, Chris; May, Stephen; Walters, Stephen

Authors

Stephen May

Stephen Walters



Abstract

Background: An understanding of the epidemiology of a problem is central to facilitating clinical understanding, resource allocation and future research priorities.

Objectives: To systematically review and report incidence, prevalence, risk and prognostic factors for rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Methods: An electronic search of MEDLINE, CiNAHL, PsychINFO to December 2012 was complemented by hand and citation-searching. Studies were selected in relation to pre-defined criteria. A narrative synthesis was undertaken.

Results: The incidence of rotator cuff tendinopathy ranges from 0.3% to 5.5% and annual prevalence from 0.5% to 7.4%. There is limited evidence suggesting that increasing age and other personal, work-related and psychosocial factors are associated with onset. There is strong evidence suggesting that high baseline pain and disability and previous episodes of shoulder pain are associated with an unfavourable outcome and strong evidence suggesting that biomedical diagnosis is not associated with outcome. Other factors were identified but were only supported by moderate or limited evidence.

Conclusions: Rotator cuff tendinopathy is a common problem but uncertainty remains regarding the true extent and risk factors associated with onset. High baseline pain and disability and previous episodes are associated with an unfavourable outcome but biomedical diagnosis is not associated with outcome.

Citation

Littlewood, C., May, S., & Walters, S. (2013). Epidemiology of Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review. Shoulder and Elbow, 5(4), 256-265. https://doi.org/10.1111/sae.12028

Journal Article Type Review
Online Publication Date Feb 6, 2017
Publication Date 2013-01
Deposit Date Dec 19, 2024
Journal Shoulder and Elbow
Print ISSN 1758-5732
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 5
Issue 4
Pages 256-265
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/sae.12028
Keywords epidemiology, Rotator cuff, systematic review, tendinopathy