title: Shoulder symptoms and function in geriatric patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Musculoskeletal problems, including shoulder pain, are common in the general population and are often cited as reasons for physician visits. Although many risk factors for shoulder pain are postulated, the effects of shoulder pain on functional level and perceived quality of life are poorly characterized in older adults. In this study, we set out to determine the prevalence and impact of shoulder symptoms and dysfunction in an older adult veteran population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A chart review, cross-sectional survey, and examination were performed. A sample of 93 individuals, aged 60 years or older, was recruited from a primary clinic outpatient waiting room at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Patients were asked about shoulder symptoms and self-assessed health and completed the Stanford Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire. A series of 3 shoulder maneuvers was used to assess shoulder mobility and pain. The presence of diabetes and statin use was documented. A more thorough chart review was performed on individuals who reported shoulder pain and disability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Severe shoulder pain was common in the study group, reported by 31% of all participants. Functional limitation measured by the Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire and answering "yes" to greater difficulty performing daily tasks was associated with reduced internal rotation, which was present in almost 36% of all participants. Symptoms were often bilateral. No statistically significant risk factors emerged in this small sample, but suggestive trends were apparent. Interestingly, few patients reported discussing these problems with their providers, and shoulder-related problems were documented in only 10% of corresponding problem lists of symptomatic patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With an aging population, the high prevalence of shoulder pain may have considerable impact on public health. It will become increasingly important to define risk factors, delineate etiologies, and devise new management strategies for patients with symptomatic shoulder disease.
authors.affiliation: 1Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. 2University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
authors.forename: Todd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Burner
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Abbott
authors.forename: Karri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stout
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.forename: Bambi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wessel
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Massey
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
authors.forename: Edith
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Burns
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors