Shoulder pain in the Swiss spinal cord injury community: prevalence and associated factors

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of shoulder pain and to identify factors associated with shoulder pain in a nationwide survey of individuals living with spinal cord injury (SCI) in Switzerland. Methods: Data was collected through the 2012 community survey of the Swiss SCI Cohort Study (SwiSCI) (N = 1549; age 52.3 +/- 14.8; 29% female). Sociodemographic and socioeconomic circumstances, SCI characteristics, health conditions as well as mobility independence and sporting activities were evaluated as predictor variables. Analyses were adjusted for item non-response (using multiple imputation) and unit-nonresponse (using inverse probability weighting). Results: The adjusted prevalence of shoulder pain was 35.8% (95% CI: 33.4-38.3). Multivariable regression analysis revealed higher odds of shoulder pain in females as compared to males (odds ratio: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.44-2.47), and when spasticity (1.36; 1.00-1.85) and contractures (2.47; 1.91-3.19) were apparent. Individuals with complete paraplegia (1.62; 1.13-2.32) or any tetraplegia (complete: 1.63; 1.01-2.62; incomplete: 1.82; 1.30-2.56) showed higher odds of shoulder pain compared to those with incomplete paraplegia. Conclusions: This survey revealed a high prevalence of shoulder pain. Sex, SCI severity, and specific health conditions were associated with having shoulder pain.