Predictors of disease-specific quality of life after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
OBJECTIVE
Disease-specific instruments of quality of life (QOL) are more sensitive to disease-specific changes. The purpose of this study is to identify prognostic factors for disease-specific QOL after all-arthroscopic rotator cuff (RC) repair using the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC).


METHODS
A total of 140 patients were evaluated after an RC repair with a mean follow-up of 22 ± 6.7 months. Evaluations included the WORC, EQ-5D and anchor questions. Preoperative patient demographics and radiologic characteristics were assessed to identify predictors of disease-specific QOL.


RESULTS
Most patients (81.4 %) were satisfied with their surgical result. Minor tear retraction (odds ratio [OR] 2.97, p = 0.030), male gender (OR 3.67, p = 0.003), no social benefits (OR 3.67, p = 0.042) and pre-surgical complaints for more than six months (OR 3.03, p = 0.021) were independent predictors for superior postoperative WORC score in multivariable analysis. None of these factors were predictive for a higher EQ-5D score.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings highlight the important impact of retraction on QOL after RC repair and underline the utility of disease-specific instruments. Future studies should focus on how these significant predictors can be used to improve decision making and to develop new treatment approaches.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, St. Antonius Hospital, Koekoekslaan 1, PO box 2500, 3430 EM, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
Arjen
A
Kolk
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, St. Antonius Hospital, Koekoekslaan 1, PO box 2500, 3430 EM, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
Nienke
N
Wolterbeek
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, St. Antonius Hospital, Koekoekslaan 1, PO box 2500, 3430 EM, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
Kiem Gie
KG
Auw Yang
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, St. Antonius Hospital, Koekoekslaan 1, PO box 2500, 3430 EM, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
Jacco A C
JA
Zijl
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, St. Antonius Hospital, Koekoekslaan 1, PO box 2500, 3430 EM, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands. r.wessel@antoniusziekenhuis.nl.
Ronald N
RN
Wessel
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery*; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery
Arthroscopy; Multivariable analysis; Quality of life; Rotator cuff; Shoulder