Comparison of joint hypermobility in general and orthopaedic clinic population in south India

Abstract

Background: Generalised joint hypermobility (GJH) is associated with musculoskeletal symptoms. Beighton score is universally used to measure hypermobility and the cut off score of ≥4 is quoted in literature to define GJH. No data exists on the prevalence of GJH in patients attending orthopaedic outpatients in India. Materials and methods: The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of GJH in the general versus orthopaedic patients. 406 patients attending a wellness clinic and 1780 patients attending orthopaedic outpatient clinic in a large private hospital in south India were scored for hypermobility using Beighton score. The mean age of the cohorts attending the wellness clinic and orthopaedic clinic was 33.47± 11.63 years and 36.37± 9.36 years respectively. There were more males than females recruited in the orthopaedic clinic. Results: The wellness group had significantly higher numbers in the 20 to 39 year age range compared to the orthopaedic group (p value <0.00001). There was a significantly higher proportion of zero Beighton score in the orthopaedic group (p value <0.00001). The proportion of people with Beighton score 4-9 in the wellness and orthopaedic groups were 33% and 3.3% respectively. The proportion of GJH with Beighton score 5-9 was 16% and 2% in the wellness and orthopaedic groups respectively. Conclusions: This is the only study, to the best of our knowledge, to have attempted to compare GJH prevalence in orthopaedic patients with a control group. The prevalence of GJH is significantly higher in the general population than the orthopaedic out-patients. Beighton score is simple to perform and must be included in the management of every orthopaedic patient.