AB1113 Prevalence of generalised joint hypermobility in the children population of ordu; turkish study
Authors: Ö.F. Barçak, S.S. Dedeoğlu
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2018)

<h3>Background</h3> Generalised Joint hypermobility (GJH) is a clinical conditions that may cause common musculoskeletal pain during childhood. In our study, we aim to show the prevalence of GJH in children of 11–18 age group, and to provide guiding information for rheumatologists and paediatricians who are interested in this subject. <h3>Objectives</h3> Our study aimed to evaluate the frequency of GJH in children aged 11–18 years in the province, Ordu. <h3>Methods</h3> This cross-sectional study was performed with 410 students aged 11–18 years who receive education in the province, Ordu. Questionnaire forms were filled in, and each student was examined. The children, who reported to have any disease, were excluded from the study. GJH was diagnosed according to criteria of Beighton diagnosis. <h3>Results</h3> A total of 410 students, 210 of whom were girls (51.3%) and 200 (48.7%) of whom were boys, participated in the study. The subjects' mean age was 13.7±1.7 years for girls and 13.1±1.79 years for boys. The body mass index (BMI) of the girls was 21.5±3.4 kg/m<sup>2</sup> and of the boys were 22±3.8 kg/m<sup>2</sup>. 160 (39%) of the students participated from the city centre and 250 (61%) from the district centres. The presentations of the students to the health institution due to any complaint in 1 year were examined. The students participating in the study were questioned in terms of presence and time of previous joint complaints. Accordingly, the number of participants who previously had a joint-related complaint was found to be 155 (37.8%). 40 (10.7%) of these participants had a joint-related complaint 3 months ago, 18 (4.3%) had it 6 months ago, 40 (9.7%) had it 1 year ago, and 47 (11.4%) had it more than one year ago. The frequency of GJH was 8.7%. 24 of 36 participants in whom GJH was detected and had a Beighton score of 5 and above consisted of girls; and this was 11.4% of the girls. The number of male participants in whom GJH was detected, was found to be 12; and this was 6% of the boys. There was a significant difference between female and male participants in terms of the frequency of GJH (p=0.021).A statistically significant and highly negative correlation was found between age and Beighton score (r=−0.182, p&lt;0.001). A statistically significant and highly negative correlation was found between body mass index and Beighton score (r=−0.092, p&lt;0.05). <h3>Conclusions</h3> One of the most common complaints seen during the childhood is musculoskeletal system pain. As shown by various studies performed, one of the significant reasons of extremity pain is GJH.<sup>1</sup> In our study, no significant correlation was found between GJH and joint pain. GJH is a disease that may cause musculoskeletal system pain during childhood. In our study which investigates the frequency of GJH in our region, we detected the GJH prevalence as 8.7. GJH is a clinical syndrome that is characterised with the fact that the joints have a range of motion above normal levels without a correlation with any systemic rheumatismal disease. The specific definition of GJH was shown by Kirk et al. in 1967.<sup>2</sup> <h3>References</h3> [1] Larsson LG, Baum J, Mudholkar GS. Hypermobility: Features and differential incidence between the sexes. Arthritis Rheum1987; 30: 1426–30. [2] Kirk JA, Ansell BM, Bywaters EG. The hypermobility syndrome. Musculoskeletal complaints associated with generalized joint hypermobility. Ann Rheum Dis1967; 26: 419. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared