A profile of patients with adhesive capsulitis.

The purpose of this descriptive study is to develop a profile of patients with adhesive capsulitis and to describe the patients' perceived clinical progression. A total of 32 patients diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis and 31 control subject completed anonymous questionnaires designed to elicit demographic data as well as medical information. The adhesive capsulitis and control samples were selected from the same facilities in an effort to reduce bias. Data comparing the adhesive capsulitis group with the control group was analyzed using the Odds Ratio and Taylor Series Confidence Interval for Odds Ratio. Twenty-seven patients (84.4%) diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis fell within the age range of 40-59 years. Diabetes and heart disease appeared to be more prevalent in patients diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis as compared with the control group and general population. The majority of patients with adhesive capsulitis (90.6%) reported a perceived clinical progression that started with a pattern of pain followed by loss of motion. Age and concomitant medical conditions appeared to be most correlated with the occurrence of adhesive capsulitis. Possible reasons for the prevalence of diabetes and heart disease in adhesive capsulitis patients are discussed.