Prevalence of joint hypermobility, hypermobility spectrum disorder and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in a university population: an observational study

Year 2020, Volume: 6 Issue: 2, 120 - 129, 04.03.2020

Filiz Tuna

https://doi.org/10.18621/eurj.466831

Cited By: 7

Abstract

Objectives:
To investigate
the prevalence of joint hypermobility classes, hypermobility spectrum
disorders, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and their relations with sex ina
university population. They are notable topics in rehabilitation, since they
represents the basis for some secondary disability conditions.

Methods: Three hundred and
thirty-five students met the
inclusion criteria (university students who are not disabled, without known
disease, aged 18-25 years). Joint hypermobility were classified as generalized,
peripheral and localized asymptomatic or hypermobility spectrum disorders.
Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome was defined according to; 1) Brighton
criteria with cut-off Beighton scoring ≥ 4/9, 2) Villefranche criteria with
cut-off Beighton scoring ≥ 5/9, and 3) The 2017 International Classification of
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Results: In total, 77.3% (n = 259) of participants had any
class of joint hypermobility and 25.9% (n=87) of them had generalized class.
Asymptomatic joint hypermobility and hypermobility spectrum disorders
prevalence in a university population were found to be 38.8% and 38.5%,
respectively. Generalized, peripheral, localized asymptomatic joint
hypermobility and hypermobility spectrum disorders were found; 13.1%, 4.2%,
21.5%, and 12.8%, 7.5%, 18.2%, respectively. Prevalence of hypermobile
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome according to three classifications were found to be;
19.4%, 15.2%, and 1.2%, respectively.

Conclusions: The most common classes are localized asymptomatic
joint hypermobility in women and localized hypermobility spectrum disorders in
men. Awareness of the prevalence of joint hypermobility, hypermobility spectrum
disorders and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in healthy young population
may contribute prevention of disability. 

Keywords

Joint laxity, musculoskeletal complications, chronic pain, myopia, dental braces, soft tissue problems

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