[Evolution and characteristics of primary care patients with painful shoulder]

To describe the population attending teaching health centres in Area V, Asturias, to consult for painful shoulder. To describe the examination, diagnosis, treatment and clinical response.

Longitudinal, descriptive study.

Teaching health centres in Area V, Asturias.

Patients consulting because of pain in their shoulders in October and November 2002.

Two measurements, the first of which in December 2002 appraised age, sex, job, time off work, arc of pain, flection, internal-external rotation, and diagnostic impression. The second, in May 2003, assessed evolution, x-rays, echography, medication, infiltration, physiotherapy, exercises at home, referral to specialist, and final diagnosis. Bivariant and kappa index descriptive analyses were run.

110 cases, 58.2% women and 41.8% men, with an average age of 57 (95% CI, 54.17-59.79), were included. 52.7% were retired; no particular job predominated; 7.3% were off work; 30% had had no examination of arc of movement; 70% evolved satisfactorily. The most common diagnosis was cuff tendinitis, with initial and final diagnosis coinciding well. 77.4% of patients took NSAIDs; 16% were infiltrated; 32.1% did physiotherapy; and 36.8%, exercises at home. 65.1% had no x-ray and only 6.6% had echographies, all of which found something. There was no statistically significant relationship between medication or infiltration and favourable evolution; and there was, between physiotherapy or exercises and favourable evolution.

Most patients were middle-aged, women, pensioners, and had little time off work. Two-thirds evolved well. Examinations were incomplete and few complementary tests were run.