Frequency and Pattern of Shoulder Pain Syndrome in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Shoulder pain syndrome (SPS) is a chronic condition affecting the shoulder joint, its periarticular structures, or less commonly, radicular pain typically from the neck.

The objectives of this study were to assess the frequency and pattern of shoulder pain syndrome in OAUTHC, Ile-Ife.

This was a descriptive study in which 50 patients with shoulder pain were recruited from the medical and general outpatient departments of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife over six months out of 350 patients with various musculoskeletal complaints. Detailed history, physical examinations and laboratory tests were done. Plain radiographs were taken for all the patients. Ethical approval was obtained and data analyzed using SPSS version 20.0.

The frequency of shoulder pain was 14.3%. Eighteen were males and 32 were females with a M: F ratio of 1:1.7. The mean age for all the patients was 59.74years (±10.64) with patients in the age range 50-59years accounting for the highest proportion (38%). The most common cause of shoulder pain syndrome was rotator cuff tendinopathy accounting for 72% of cases. Diabetes was the most frequent comorbidity and was found in 50% of patients.

Shoulder pain predominantly occurs in females with people in the fifth decade mostly affected. The most frequent cause of shoulder pain syndrome in this environment is rotator cuff disorder. Diabetes mellitus is an important comorbidity associated with shoulder pain. Therefore, management of shoulder pain should include assessment for risk factors.