Objectives: To describe the prevalence, risk factors and consequences of shoulder joint impairment in the population.
Methods: A representative sample (n = 7217) of the Finnish population aged > or = 30 yr participated in a health examination survey (the Mini-Finland Health Survey). The design of the survey allowed an independent assessment of disability, reported shoulder pain, shoulder joint impairment and major chronic co-morbidity.
Results: Shoulder impairment was observed in 8.8%, while pain was reported by 30%. The prevalence of shoulder pain decreased among the elderly, whereas impairments increased up to 20% of those aged 75-80 yr. In addition to age, sex, previous injury to the shoulder joint and a history of physically heavy work, diabetes was associated with shoulder impairment (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.1). Shoulder impairment was associated with disability (adjusted OR 2.0, CI 1.6-2.5).
Conclusions: Shoulder impairment is an important component of ill health among the elderly, and cannot be reduced to reported pain alone.