Quality of life and functionality in patients with rotator cuff disorders

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between different domains of quality of life and functionality in patients with rotator cuff disorders. METHODS: Cross sectional study with 109 patients evaluated between October 2013 and February 2014. The WORC questionnaire was used to evaluate quality of life, and the UCLA and ASES scales to evaluate functionality. RESULTS: The sample included 73 female and 36 males (mean age 52,3+12,8 years). The right shoulder was evaluated in 63 patients (57,8%). There was a high positive correlation between the WORC results and the UCLA (r= 0,73) and ASES (r= 0,77) scales. There was a stronger correlation between the WORC and the UCLA in the “Work” domain (r= 0,74), and a weaker correlation in the “Sport/Recreation” domain (r= 0,67). When comparing the WORC with the ASES scale, a higher correlation was identified with the “Work” domain (r= 0,79) and a lower correlation with the “Emotions” domain (r= 0,64). CONCLUSION: Alterations in functionality, frequent in RCD, have a considerable impact in the quality of life in special to the “Work” domain.