Evaluation of serological factors in 29 patients with frozen shoulder, a cohort study

Background Frozen Shoulder is a painful and debilitating illness that affects 2 to 5% of the general population and up to 20% of those with diabetes, characterized with significant shoulder pain and reduced mobility, resulting in loss of passive and active movements in all directions in the first stage of frozen shoulder, which is sometimes mistaken with acute and subacute arthritis. We decided to conduct a study to evaluate serological factors in these patients. Methods The present investigation was a cohort study. First the target population and sample size were determined and the patients enrolled at the study were asked for their medical history, and then examined by a subspecialist physician to validate the diagnosis of frozen should. For all patients, a series of specific routine blood tests were requested and their shoulder range of motion and scores were recorded. Results A total of 29 patients with adhesive capsulitis with a mean age of 55.59 ± 9.57 and a mean BMI of 27.78 ± 4.59 were recruited, of whom 22 were female (75.9%) and 7 were male (24.1%). The mean levels of fasting blood glucose, (FBS) ESR and CRP were 100.61 ± 17.29 mg/dL, 16.89 ± 13.14 mm/h and 2.85 ± 6.88 mg/L, respectively. CRP levels were inversely associated with constant shoulder score (CSS). Conclusion The serum level of CRP might be a reliable biomarker for predicting the qualitative state of pain and range of motion in patients with adhesive capsulitis, as it is correlated with CSS. Trial registration: The present study was approved by the regional ethics committee of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences based on the Helsinki Declaration with the ethics code IR.TBZMED.REC.1398.990.