Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2020 Jan;24(1):39-50.
doi: 10.1002/ejp.1482. Epub 2019 Oct 13.

Incidence of shoulder pain in 40 years old and over and associated factors: A systematic review

Codjo D Djade  1   2   3 , Teegwendé V Porgo  1   2 , Hervé Tchala Vignon Zomahoun  1   2   4   5 , Gentiane Perrault-Sullivan  1   2 , Clermont E Dionne  2   3   6
Affiliations

Incidence of shoulder pain in 40 years old and over and associated factors: A systematic review

Codjo D Djade et al. Eur J Pain. 2020 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Shoulder pain is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal complaints, and its prevalence and consequences increase with age. However, little is known about the incidence of shoulder pain among aging adults. We conducted this review to estimate the incidence of shoulder pain in ageing adults and its associated factors.

Databases and data treatment: We conducted a systematic review of cohort studies in which the incidence of shoulder pain and associated factors were explored in adults aged 40 years and over. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were consulted.

Results: We retrieved 3332 studies and included six, of which five were prospective cohort studies and one was retrospective. For adults aged 45-64 years, the annual cumulative incidence was 2.4%. The incidence density was estimated at 17.3 per 1,000 person-years for adults in the 45-64 years age group, at 12.8 per 1000 person-years for those in the 65-74 years group and at 6.7 per 1000 person-years among those aged 75 years and over. Occupational factors, notably physical demands of work, were associated with the incidence of shoulder pain. Non-occupational factors were also linked to the occurrence of shoulder pain.

Conclusion: Few studies have estimated the incidence of shoulder pain and associated factors among ageing adults. From this systematic review, we conclude that studies on the incidence of shoulder pain are scarce, and that both occupational and non-occupational factors could be associated with the onset of shoulder pain among adults 40 years and over. This very limited evidence calls for more studies on this topic.

Significance: Shoulder pain is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal complaints, and its prevalence and consequences increase with age. However, since the prevalence of a recurring condition is determined by its incidence and the number and duration of episodes, it is important to have valid incidence estimates and to conduct aetiological studies on incidence measures to untangle risk factors of the occurrence of shoulder pain from those affecting the duration and number of episodes . In this systematic review, we sought to estimate the incidence of shoulder pain in ageing adults along with its associated factors. This work could lead to better interventions to prevent shoulder pain in older individuals.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

REFERENCES

    1. Allander, E. (1974). Prevalence, incidence, and remission rates of some common rheumatic diseases or syndromes. Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, 3(3), 145-153. https://doi.org/10.3109/03009747409097141
    1. Bodin, J., Garlantezec, R., Costet, N., Descatha, A., Viel, J. F., & Roquelaure, Y. (2017). Risk factors for shoulder pain in a cohort of French workers: A Structural Equation Model. American Journal of Epidemiology, 187, 206-213 https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwx218
    1. Bot, S. D., van der Waal, J. M., Terwee, C. B., van der Windt, D. A., Schellevis, F. G., Bouter, L. M., & Dekker, J. (2005). Incidence and prevalence of complaints of the neck and upper extremity in general practice. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 64(1), 118-123. https://doi.org/10.1136/ard.2003.019349
    1. Canivet, C., Ostergren, P. O., Choi, B., Nilsson, P., af Sillen, U., Moghadassi, M., … Isacsson, S. O., (2008). Sleeping problems as a risk factor for subsequent musculoskeletal pain and the role of job strain: Results from a one-year follow-up of the Malmo Shoulder Neck Study Cohort. Int J Behav Med, 15(4), 254-262.
    1. da Costa, B. R., & Vieira, E. R. (2010). Risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders: A systematic review of recent longitudinal studies. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 53(3), 285-323.

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources