Association of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Adhesive Capsulitis

Rev Bras Ortop (Sao Paulo). 2022 Feb 15;58(1):127-132. doi: 10.1055/s-0042-1742693. eCollection 2023 Feb.

Abstract

Objective The present study aimed to assess the association between anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with adhesive capsulitis. Methods This was a cross-sectional study carried out in a single center from a tertiary hospital with patients presenting with secondary adhesive capsulitis. The control group did not have shoulder disease, thyroid disease, anxiety, and/or depression. The instrument used was the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). An analysis of covariance compared HADS scores between groups. The significance level was 5%. Results The final sample consisted of 17 patients (case group) and 27 (control group). The Shapiro-Wilk test revealed normal distribution ( p > 0.05). A HADS score > 0.70 (Cronbach alpha) was reliable and presented good internal consistency. Patients with adhesive capsulitis reported "doubtful" (average/standard deviation = 8.88/4.50) "anxious symptoms" ( p = 0.019) but no "depressive symptoms" (average/standard deviation = 6.41/3.69), despite p = 0.015. Conclusion There is a "doubtful" positive association between anxiety symptoms and adhesive capsulitis but a negative association with depressive symptoms.

Keywords: adhesive capsulitis; anxiety; depression; shoulder; signs and symptoms.