Clinical and functional profile of patients with the Painful Shoulder Syndrome (PSS).
BACKGROUND
The Painful Shoulder Syndrome (PSS) is characterized by varying degrees of pain and functional limitation. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical and functional profile of these patients.


METHODS
136 patients undergoing clinical treatment for PSS were evaluated by a questionnaire regarding the following variables: sex, age, occupation, affected shoulder and its dominance, image diagnosis, pain location, intensity and characteristics, physical activity involving the shoulder, preferential position of upper limbs during occupational activity, limitation of movements during activities o daily living, and job absenteeism.


RESULTS
74.3% of the patients were women (p<0.001), and 54.4% were at or below the mean age of 50+/-12.5 years. The right shoulder was affected most frequently (58.8%) and dominant (91.9%). Rotator cuff tear was the most frequent shoulder pathology (75.4%). Treatment was sought more commonly in the chronic stage of pain (61.0%). Pain, moderate in intensity, predominated in males (54.3%) and severe pain was more frequent in females (47.5%), restricted to the shoulder in 44.1% and worsening at night (50%). The upper limbs were used more frequently below shoulder level during usual daily activities (68.4%), and limitation of movements was present mainly in women (63.4%, p=0.017).


CONCLUSIONS
Rotator cuff tear is the most frequent cause of PSS. PSS produces pain and functional limitation, especially in women.
Dias
Daniela
D
Bahian School of Medicine and Public Health.
Matos
Marcos
M
Daltro
Carla
C
Guimarães
Armênio
A
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015897:Comorbidity; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000503:physiopathology; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D012782:Shoulder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013577:Syndrome; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014463:Ultrasonography