BACKGROUND: the aim was to assess the persistence of rotator cuff syndrome (RCS) in workers and to study associations with personal and work-related factors, job change, exposure change and treatment. METHODS: at baseline, 274 workers suffered from RCS, of whom 150 were followed up. Three groups were constituted: (1) a RCS recovery group, (2) a shoulder pain without RCS group, and (3) a RCS without recovery group. We studied the differences between groups (1) and (3) because of the low number of workers in group (2). RESULTS: recovery occurred in 61.5% of men and 51.4% of women. Factors related to work were associated with persistence of RCS in men whereas upper limb pain and absence of job rotation were associated with persistence of RCS in women. CONCLUSION: this descriptive study showed that a high percentage of workers recovered and several personal and work-related factors were associated with persistent RCS. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these results. (R.A.)