Glenohumeral osteoarthritis.

The prevalence of shoulder complaints in the UK is estimated to be 14%, with 1% to 2% of adults over the age of 45 years consulting their general practitioner annually regarding new-onset shoulder pain. Shoulder osteoarthritis is the underlying cause of shoulder pain in 2% to 5% of this group, although few truly population-based studies have been conducted. Painful shoulders pose a substantial socio-economic burden. Disability of the shoulder can impair ability to work or perform household tasks and can result in time off work. Shoulder problems account for 2.4% of all general practitioner consultations in the UK and 4.5 million visits to physicians annually in the USA. There are a number of occupational risk factors that may be relevant in the development of shoulder pain but the available evidence is inconsistent and the