Genetic Epidemiology of Rotator Cuff Tears: The cuffGEN Study (NCT04831164)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Rotator cuff tear is one of the most common reasons to seek musculoskeletal care, and cuff repair is one of the fastest growing ambulatory surgery procedures. However, the etiology of cuff tears, reasons for variability treatment success, and causes of FI are poorly understood. A large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) using imaging-verified rotator cuff tear cases and controls can address limitations in rigor of prior research and assess the genetic basis of FI and functional outcomes of cuff tear treatments. Primary Objective: To conduct a case-control GWAS of imaging-verified symptomatic rotator cuff tear in approximately 3000-6000 individuals and replicate findings in an independent set of 3000-6000 or more imaging-verified individuals to identify common variants in several genetic loci that increase risk for rotator cuff tears. Hypothesis: Common variants in several genetic loci increase risk for rotator cuff tears. Secondary Objectives: 1. To perform an imputed transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) to identify and prioritize gene targets associated with rotator cuff tear by integrating GWAS summary statistics and gene-expression weights from muscle and adipose tissue available in the GTEx project. Hypothesis: Genetically predicted gene expression of multiple genes in muscle and adipose tissue are associated with rotator cuff tear. 2. To identify if single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with rotator cuff tear and their genetic risk score (GRS) predict improved pain and function as measured by American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Form (ASES) and other outcome measures. Hypothesis: Select SNPs and GRS predict ASES outcome. 3. To identify genetic variants associated with Fatty Infiltration (FI) in patients with cuff tears in a two stage GWAS of imaged rotator cuffs and to prioritize gene targets through an imputed-TWAS in muscle and adipose tissue. Hypothesis: Multiple genetic variants are associated with FI and some exert their influence by altering gene expression in the muscle and adipose tissue.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (4 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (2 items).
Location: University of Iowa — Iowa City, Iowa
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Acute rotator cuff tear caused by a severe trauma
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (10 Sites)
- University of Iowa — Iowa City, Iowa
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts
- Boston Medical Center — Boston, Massachusetts
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — Boston, Massachusetts
- University of Michigan — Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Ohio State University — Columbus, Ohio
- Orthopedic Institute — Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, Tennessee
- Parkland Health and Hospital System — Dallas, Texas
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, Texas
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.