PREVALENCE AND CAUSES OF SHOULDER PAIN IN PATIENTS ATTENDING PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION OUTPATIENT CLINICS

Abstract

Background: Shoulder pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints encountered in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) outpatient clinics. It significantly affects patients’ daily functioning and quality of life, making accurate diagnosis and appropriate management essential.
Aim: This study aimed to identify the most frequent causes of shoulder pain among patients presenting to PM&R outpatient clinics and to support improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Methods: A quantitative comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 320 patients. The sample size was determined using the WHO calculator at a 95% confidence interval, 2.3% absolute precision, and an estimated prevalence of shoulder osteoarthritis of 4.6%. Data collection included patient interviews, physical examinations, and imaging modalities (X-ray, MRI, and ultrasound). Statistical analysis comprised descriptive statistics, ANOVA, chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression, with results presented through tables, bar charts, pie charts, and scatter plots.
Results: The most common etiologies of shoulder pain were rotator cuff tendinitis (30%), adhesive capsulitis (20%), osteoarthritis (15%), bursitis (10%), and cervical radiculopathy (5%). Additional causes included labral tears (7.5%), fractures (5%), and referred pain (10%). Demographic factors such as age, gender, and occupation were found to be significantly associated with specific pathologies.
Conclusion: Rotator cuff tendinitis and adhesive capsulitis were identified as the leading causes of shoulder pain in PM&R outpatients. Early recognition of these conditions and other less common etiologies is crucial for timely and targeted management, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing the overall burden of shoulder-related disability.