Comparing Sex-Specific Outcomes After Rotator Cuff Repair: A Meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Rotator cuff repair (RCR) is a well-studied procedure. However, the impact of patient sex on outcomes after RCR has not been well studied.

Purpose: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of sex-based differences in outcomes after RCR and to record what proportion of studies examined this as a primary or secondary purpose.

Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods: A systematic review was performed using multiple databases according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Studies were included if they were written in English, performed on humans, consisted of patients who underwent RCR, evaluated at least 1 of the selected outcomes based on patient sex, and had statistical analysis available for their sex-based claim. Excluded were case reports, review studies, systematic reviews, cadaveric studies, and studies that did not report at least 1 sex-specific outcome or included certain other injuries associated with a rotator cuff injury.

Results: Of 9998 studies screened and 1283 full-text studies reviewed, 11 (0.11%) studies with 2860 patients (1549 male and 1329 female) were included for quantitative analysis. None of these 11 studies examined the impact of patient sex on outcomes after RCR as a primary outcome. Postoperative Constant-Murley scores were analyzed for 7 studies. Male patients had a postoperative Constant-Murley score of 76.77 ± 15.94, while female patients had a postoperative Constant-Murley score of 69.88 ± 17.02. The random-effects model showed that male patients had significantly higher scores than female patients, with a mean difference of 7.33 (95% CI, 5.21-9.46; P < .0001). Analysis of retear rates in 5 studies indicated that there was no difference in the retear rate between sexes (odds ratio, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.49-1.67]).

Conclusion: Female patients had lower postoperative Constant-Murley scores compared with male patients, but there was no difference in the retear rate. However, these results were based on an analysis of only 11 studies. The paucity of studies examining the impact of sex suggests that more research is needed on the impact of patient sex on outcomes after RCR.