How sex and age influence the relation between behavioral ascpects and clinical outcomes in people with chronic shoulder pain: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Introduction: Shoulder pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions in the general population. Behavioral aspects seem to significantly influence the variability of symptoms in this population, however, it is still unclear how personal variables, such as sex and age, can influence this relationship. Objectives: To verify whether the personal aspects of sex and age modulate the relationship between behavioral aspects related to pain beliefs and clinical outcomes in individuals with chronic shoulder pain. Methods: Thirty men and 30 women aged between 18 and 80 years old who complain of shoulder pain will be evaluated. Behavioral variables such as pain catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, fear-avoidance beliefs and self-efficacy will be assessed using the Brazilian version of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale, Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire and Chronic Pain Self-Efficacy Scale, respectively. Clinical outcomes will include pain intensity, measured by the Numerical Pain Scale, and upper limb functionality, assessed by the Brazilian version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analyzes will verify the impact of gender and age moderation on the relationship between behavioral aspects and clinical outcomes. Women and younger individuals are expected to demonstrate a stronger relationship between negative pain behaviors and greater pain intensity and greater degree of disability when compared to men and older individuals, respectively.