Lower socioeconomic status is correlated with worse outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Abstract

Background: Socioeconomic status has been recognized as a crucial social determinant of health influencing patient outcomes. Area Deprivation Index (ADI) is a validated measure of an area’s socioeconomic status. Limited data exists on the impact of ADI and clinical outcomes and complications following rotator cuff repair (RCR). The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact socioeconomic factors have on outcomes following primary arthroscopic RCR. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study with 1-year follow-up. Patients who underwent primary rotator cuff repair at a single institution from March 2014 to September 2022 were identified. Patient demographics, pre-and post-operative visual analog scale (VAS) scores, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores, range of motion, complications, and subsequent ipsilateral shoulder surgeries were collected. ADI was collected from an online mapping database using each patient’s home address. Patients were split into ADI terciles, with ADI1 representing the least disadvantaged group and ADI3 representing the most disadvantaged group. Analysis of variance and T-test were used for continuous variables, and chi-square analyses were conducted for categorical variables. Results: In total, 467 patients underwent RCR and had complete demographic data and postoperative follow-ups over a year. There was a significant difference in race, with 78.2% of patients identifying as black in ADI3 and 18.1% in ADI1 (P < 0.001) a negative correlation with upper extremity function (r = −.233, P =.026), a positive correlation with pain interference (r =.355, P