Adhesive Capsulitis among Patients Seen in Prince Hashem Military Hospital

Objective: This study was conducted to explore the etiological factors and some clinical profile of patients with Adhesive Capsulitis (AC). Methods: The study was conducted in Prince Hashim Military Hospital at the Physiotherapy department and Rheumatology clinic. Eighty patients fulfilling the criteria for the diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis were included in this study. They suffered from shoulder pain, the range of shoulder movements and the presence of various etiological factors for Adhesive Capsulitis (AC) were examined. Results: Age of the subjects ranged from 20-60 years and the duration of symptoms averaged four months; the left shoulder was more commonly involved (60%), (7.5%) had bilateral involvement and (66%) of the subjects were sedentary workers. Adhesive capsulitis was seen most commonly in patients with diabetes mellitus (39%). Other risk factors included previous myocardial infarction (7.5%), stroke 4%, COPD (5%) and immobilization (7.5%). Conclusion: Adhesive Capsulitis (AC) mostly affects people in the forth up to sixth decade. The majority of the affected individuals have sedentary life style at the time of the sickness and patients with diabetes mellitus may be at a particular risk. Further, detailed studies are needed in this regard for a complete understanding of this painful, disabling and protracted clinical syndrome.