The effect of lipid levels on patient-reported outcomes in patients with rotator cuff tears

BACKGROUND: Lipid disorders could be associated with the prevalence and outcomes of rotator cuff diseases. This study aimed to learn how levels of various types of lipids influence the patient-reported outcomes of patients with rotator cuff tears (RCTs). METHODS: Data from a cohort study of 135 patients with RCTs were used. The outcome measures included Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) index, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) standardized shoulder assessment form, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, visual analog scale for pain and satisfaction, and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12). Multivariable random-effects models were built to examine how total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein, and ratio of total cholesterol to HDL influence each outcome, controlling for covariates. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, gender, surgery, smoking, and baseline outcome values, patients with triglycerides >150 mg/dL had significantly higher pain visual analog scale (β = 5.86; P = .017) and lower VR-12 physical component summary (β = −2.71; P = .002) scores. Patients with low HDL had significantly worse WORC (β = 132.26; P = .020) and ASES (β = −7.05; P = .005) scores, more pain (β = 6.69; P = .024), and less satisfaction (β = −6.53; P = .008). The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL was associated with worse WORC (β = 58.46; P = .006) and ASES scores (β = −2.74; P = .002), more pain (β = 4.49; P < .001), and worse VR-12 physical component summary score (β = −1.03; P = .017). CONCLUSIONS: Dyslipidemia may decrease the improvement of patient-reported outcomes in patients undergoing treatment for RCTs; high triglycerides and low HDL may have the most impact.