Decreased axial coracoid inclination angle is associated with rotator cuff tears

Anatomic shoulder parameters and their relationship to the presence of degenerative rotator cuff tears and glenohumeral osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Scapular anatomy, as measured by the acromial index (AI), critical shoulder angle (CSA), lateral acromial angle (LAA), and glenoid inclination (GI), has emerged as a possible contributor to the development of degenerative shoulder conditions such as rotator cuff tears and glenohumeral osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the published literature on influences of scapular morphology on the development of degenerative shoulder conditions.

METHODS

A systematic review of the Embase and PubMed databases was performed to identify published studies on the potential influence of scapular bony morphology on the development of degenerative rotator cuff tears and glenohumeral osteoarthritis. The studies were reviewed by 2 authors. The findings were summarized for various anatomic parameters. A meta-analysis was completed for parameters reported in more than 5 related publications.

RESULTS

A total of 660 unique titles and 55 potentially relevant abstracts were reviewed with 30 published articles identified for inclusion. The AI, CSA, LAA, and GI were the most commonly reported bony measurements. Increased CSA and AI correlated with rotator cuff tears, whereas lower CSA appeared to be related to the presence of glenohumeral osteoarthritis. Decreased LAA correlated with degenerative rotator cuff tears. Five articles reported on the GI with mixed results on shoulder pathology.

DISCUSSION

Degenerative rotator cuff tears appear to be significantly associated with the AI, CSA, and LAA. There does not appear to be a significant relationship between the included shoulder parameters and the development of osteoarthritis.

Do we publish what we preach? Analysis of Spanish Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Society publication rates

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study is to analyse the publication rate of studies presented as podium presentations in the Spanish Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (SECHC) congresses.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-two abstracts presented at the SECHC congresses held in 2007, 2009 and 2011 were included for the purpose of the study. The oral communications were categorized by study type, sample included and follow-up. In June 2017, possible publications of these studies were searched in PubMed. Type of study, delay in publication, journal and impact factor obtained were recorded. The concordance between the information presented at the congress and their subsequent full-text publications was analysed.

RESULTS

The publication rate was 17.21% (21 of the 122 abstracts studied) after 6 years, with a mean time spent for publications of 36.71 months, and a mean impact factor of 1.51. There were no differences between results initially presented at the congresses and those subsequently published (P>0.05).

DISCUSSION

The majority of papers presented at SECHC congresses do not end up with a publication. The papers that are published do not usually contain significant differences compared to the content delivered at the congress.