Abstract
Abstract
Background
Joint hypermobility (JH) prevails worldwide, especially in
children and females, although its consequences have been neglected and
understated by health care practitioners. JH can lead to musculoskeletal
injuries, which can have serious negative effects on a person’s health.
This topic has not been sufficiently studied in Pakistan so this study will help
in filling the gap.
Objective
This study aims to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic
joint hypermobility, among high school and university students, at 2
institutions in Pakistan.
Methodology
A total of 1,749 students, with an average age of 16.96
(range 14–26), who studied at Dar e Arqam School or Riphah International
University in Faisalabad were examined. The Beighton criteria system was used to
determine the prevalence of JH on the basis of minor criteria for hypermobility
(1/9–3/9 joints, indicating localized and peripheral
hypermobility) and major criteria (4/9 joints or above 4 joints,
indicating generalized hypermobility).
Results
The results showed that the prevalence of JH in female students
studying in high school was 61.9%, and in female university students,
the prevalence was 58.4%. Minor hypermobility was most common among
university students in their 5th to 8th semester (60.3%), while major
hypermobility occurred most frequently in high school students of 9th grade
(80.1%). In addition, the results of the study established that joint
hypermobility was most common in the elbow joint on the right side: 673
(94.7%) male and 1,002 (96.5%) female students.
Conclusion
The prevalence of common hypermobility, especially generalized
hypermobility, was high among female high school students compared to university
students, and hypermobility in the right trunk and elbow joint was more common
compared to other joints.