title: Prevalence of asymptomatic rotator cuff tear and their related factors in the Korean population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  No information is available about asymptomatic rotator cuff tears (RCTs) in the Korean population. This study evaluated the prevalence of rotator cuff tears without symptoms and their related risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 486 volunteers (70.4% female; mean age, 53.1; range, 20-82 years) without any shoulder symptom complaints. Background data, medical history, clinical self-assessment, and physical examination were recorded. An ultrasonographic examination was conducted to identify rotator cuff pathology, but only full-thickness RCTs (FTRCTs) were included for the statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FTRCTs were found in 23 subjects (4.7%) but only in those aged ≥49 years. Subjects aged 50-59, 60-69, and ≥70 years of age had FTRCT prevalence rates of 3.5%, 13.3%, and 11.1%, respectively. The prevalence of FTRCTs was higher in subjects with diabetes (P = .042) and a smoking history (P= .002), but no differences were noted for the presence of thyroid disease (P = .051). Almost half of those who had FTRCTs had some pain and limited daily activity that was not bothersome. After excluding these subjects from the analysis, the prevalence of asymptomatic FTRCTs decreased to 2.3%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of asymptomatic FTRCTs was lower than expected. Half of asymptomatic FTRCTs were not actually symptom free after the clinical and physical assessments. The risk factors for a FTRCT were age, diabetes, and smoking.
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: osjeong@hotmail.com.
authors: Jinyoung
authors: J
authors: Jeong
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Suwon Nanoori hospital, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
authors: Dong-Cheul
authors: DC
authors: Shin
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Incheon Nanoori hospital, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
authors: Tae-Ho
authors: TH
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors: Kyungil
authors: K
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D015995:Prevalence; D056910:Republic of Korea; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012647:Self-Assessment; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Korean population; Rotator cuff tear; asymptomatic; prevalence; related factors; ultrasonography