A systematic review of the global prevalence and incidence of shoulder pain

Abstract

Background and objectives Studies reporting on the population burden of people living with shoulder pain show wide heterogeneity in terms of case definition, study samples, and occurrence. This systematic review aims to summarize evidence pertaining to the prevalence and incidence of shoulder pain, including variability based on sex and geography. We also explored the potential influence of methodological limitations and important sources of heterogeneity (case definition and reference period) on reported estimates of shoulder pain prevalence. Databases and data treatment The study protocol was registered on Prospero under CRD42021243140. We searched EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science and Medline from inception to March 2021. Study selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment was conducted by a team of three researchers. We performed a narrative synthesis of the data, using forest plots to summarize study findings, and stratified data presentation to explore the potential association of risk of bias, case definition, and reference period with estimates of prevalence and incidence of shoulder pain. Results We obtained data from 61 studies reporting data from high-, middle- and low-income countries. The overall risk of bias was low, with most rated as “low-risk” and no studies rated as “high-risk”. The community prevalence of shoulder pain varied widely across the countries included in our review, with a median of 16% (range 0.67 to 55.2%). Longer reference periods were typically associated with higher prevalence estimates. Primary care prevalence ranged from 1.01 to 4.84% (median 2.36%). Estimates were generally higher for women than men and were higher in high-income nations. The incidence of shoulder pain ranged from 7.7 to 62 per 1000 persons per year (median 37.8 per 1000 persons per year). Risk of bias did not clearly explain variability in study findings, but there was considerable variation in study samples, methods used, and a relative absence of data from low-income countries. Conclusions Our review demonstrates that a significant proportion of the population across the world will experience shoulder pain daily, yearly, and throughout a lifetime. Regional gaps in evidence and methodological inconsistencies must be addressed in order to establish a more definitive global burden.

A Genome-wide Association Study Identifies Novel Genetic Variants Associated with Neck or Shoulder Pain in the UK Biobank (N = 441,757)

“…In 2019, the Philippines had one of the highest burdens of neck pain around the world, with an age-standardized point prevalence of 5,333.5 per 100,000 population, and an annual incidence rate of 1,156.3 per 100,000 population (Shin et al 2022). From a global perspective, the age-standardized median prevalence of neck pain and shoulder pain was 27.0 per 1,000 and 37.8 per 1,000, respectively (Kazeminasab et al 2022; Lucas et al 2022). However, because the majority of people do not seek treatment for their problem, it is critical to assess the prevalence of shoulder discomfort in order to examine its influence on the population (Pribicevic 2012).…”

Reliability of coracohumeral distance and subcoracoid tendons in subacromial pain syndrome

“…Shoulder pain is a common self-reported musculoskeletal complaint with a median prevalence of 16% in general population, which increases in women and high-income countries 1 . It can lead to sick leave and difficulties in daily activities and it has a lifetime prevalence between 7 and 67% 2 .…”

Predictive factors of return‐to‐work trajectory after work‐related rotator cuff syndrome: A prospective study of 96 workers

“…A systematic literature review has shown that, in the general population, the 1‐year prevalence of shoulder pain ranges from 4.7% to 46.7% depending on the study, while lifetime prevalence reaches 66.7% 1 . In a recent systematic review, Lucas et al 2 found that the community prevalence of shoulder pain varies widely across countries, with a median of 16% (range: 0.67%–55.2%). According to this study, the incidence of shoulder pain ranges from 7.7 to 62 per 1000 people per year (median 37.8 per 1000 people per year 2 .…”

“…In a recent systematic review, Lucas et al 2 found that the community prevalence of shoulder pain varies widely across countries, with a median of 16% (range: 0.67%–55.2%). According to this study, the incidence of shoulder pain ranges from 7.7 to 62 per 1000 people per year (median 37.8 per 1000 people per year 2 . Meanwhile, Lewis et al 3 estimate that one in three people experience shoulder pain in their lifetime.…”