Publication date: Nov 2023
What is already known about this subject:
- Shoulder pain is common in the adult population, with estimates for one-month prevalence between 17-31%. Though there are limited cost of burden studies on shoulder pain, it likely has a large economic burden based on the costs of surgeries alone. Shoulder pain also has a broader economic impact as it results in lost time from work and is associated with poor general health. There is some research that suggests certain jobs, physical activity and mental health status may be associated shoulder pain. Much of this research has been performed on younger populations. Occupational, physical activity and psychosocial exposures may change during and after retirement age resulting in a reduction of shoulder complaints. Our aim is to determine the prevalence of shoulder pain in Australian adults and test the association with occupational factors, physical activity and mental health.
What this study adds
- In the younger generation females had significantly higher rates of shoulder pain and in particular were almost four times as likely to report bilateral shoulder pain.
- In the older generation, those over the ages of 65 were less likely to report shoulder pain.
- In the older generation, physical or heavy work is associated with higher rates of shoulder pain.
- In both generations depression and anxiety were associated with higer rates of shoulder pain.
- Physical activity was not associated with shoulder pain in either generation.