• J J Luime, B W Koes, I J M Hendriksen, A Burdorf, A P Verhagen, H S Miedema, and J A N Verhaar.
• The Netherlands Expert Centre for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, The Netherlands. j.luime@erasmusmc.nl
• Scand. J. Rheumatol. 2004 Jan 1; 33 (2): 73-81.

ObjectiveTo investigate the incidence and prevalence of shoulder complaints in the general population.MethodA systematic review of the literature was conducted. Medline, Embase, and Cinahl were searched for relevant studies.ResultsEighteen studies on prevalence and one study on incidence met the inclusion criteria. Incidence figures of 0.9-2.5% were found for different age groups. Prevalence figures differed from 6.9 to 26% for point prevalence, 18.6-31%, for 1-month prevalence, 4.7-46.7% for 1-year prevalence and 6.7-66.7% for lifetime prevalence. Prevalence rates decreased when the case definition was restricted, in terms of duration of pain or the presence of limited movements, and increased when the location for pain was enlarged.ConclusionThe reported prevalence figures on shoulder complaints diverged strongly. Health professionals and policymakers who estimate the amount of medical care needed and related costs should be aware of the variations in prevalence rate and the underlying reasons for these differences.

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