Systematic review on risk factors of rotator cuff tears

Rotator cuff tears (RCTs) occur commonly, especially among certain groups of individuals. In this meta-analysis, we aim to identify risk factors for RCTs.

We searched MEDLINE for 210 articles. Seventeen articles were selected for systematic review, of which 10 were eligible for meta-analysis. Data was analysed with Review Manager 5.3, using Mantel-Haenszel statistics and random effect models.

A total of 6653 individuals were analysed. The odds of sustaining a RCT on the dominant hand was 2.30 times more than the non-dominant hand (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-5.25, Z = 1.99, p = 0.05; Heterogenity: τ² = 0.38, χ² = 8.84, df = 2 ( p = 0.01), I² = 77%). The odds of an individual aged 60 years and above sustaining a RCT was 5.07 times higher than an individual less than 60 years old (95% CI: 2.45-10.51, Z = 4.37, p < 0.001; Heterogenity: τ² = 0.47, χ² = 25.24, df = 3 ( p < 0.001), I² = 88%). Female gender was not a significant association, with an odds ratio of 0.98 when compared to the male gender (95% CI: 0.66-1.45, Z = 0.09, p = 0.93; Heterogenity: τ² = 0.20, χ² = 44.24, df = 5 ( p < 0.001), I² = 89%).

Hand dominance and older age are associated with RCTs. More studies are required for further assessment of associations and risk factors of RCTs.