The preoperative evaluation included a physical examination, x-ray imaging (true anteroposterior, outlet and axillary view), and magnetic resonance imaging. The cohort underwent a detailed medical history evaluation with the focus on the presence of hypertension. Therapy with antihypertensive agents was also recorded. We used three steps to study the relationship between hypertension and shoulder tendons tears: First, we applied a logistic regression model to investigate if hypertension affects the risk of a tear. Second, we applied a multinomial logistic regression model to explore the association between hypertension and each type of tear (small, large, or massive). Third, we used the analysis of covariance method to determine if the duration of hypertension influenced the severity of the tear.

We compared the mean duration of antihypertensive therapy in patients with a small, large, or massive tear. All analyses were adjusted for age and sex.

Baseline characteristics of four study groups are reported in Table 2. Patients with a massive tear were slightly older than the control participants and also older than patients with a small or a large tear; therefore, age was included as a covariate in the subsequent statistical analyses. The proportions of men and women were similar in the control group and in each patient category. Adjusted for age and sex, the risk of tear occurrence was twice as high in hypertensive individuals as in normotensive participants (odds ratio [OR], 2.05, 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.41–2.98).