[Características demográficas y clínicas de los pacientes sometidos a artroscopia del manguito rotador del hombro: estudio observacional.]

Objective: The most common cause of shoulder pain is clinical pictures related to rotator cuff problems. One of the most common treatments is arthroscopic surgery. The objective was to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients undergoing this type of surgery in Spain.

Methods: A descriptive, observational and cross-sectional study with ninety participants was carried out. Data on age, sex, performance of work activity with overuse of upper limbs, body mass index (BMI), smoking habit, diagnosis of diabetes, performance of physical-sports activity and history of pre-surgical treatments were collected. Finally, a descriptive analysis of the variables and an analysis of correlations were carried out, using the Pearson and Spearman statistical test according to the type of variable.

Results: The mean age was 57.21 years with a standard deviation (SD) of 8.5 (95% CI, 55.41-59.00). Regarding their BMI, the mean was 28.49 with a SD of 4.9 (95% CI, 27.49-29.53), with 35.6% being obese (BMI greater than 30). The medical diagnosis of the subjects was 51.1% total rotator cuff tear. On the other hand, the intensity of physical activity was one hour or less per week in 87.8% of the sample. Finally, in relation to the previous physiotherapy treatment, 69.7% of the subjects had received some type of intervention.

Conclusions: The demographic and clinical characteristics found are consistent with those of other previously studied populations, and the association factors between them endorse the previously mentioned risk factors, with advanced age gaining special importance.