Encouraged by the positive relationship between joint laxity and panic anxiety, our objective in this study was to compare widespread cultural fears in subjects with and without joint hypermobility syndrome and to assess whether this relationship is sustained for common fears as well. A sample consisting of 1,305 subjects from a rural town were assessed for joint hypermobility syndrome using Beighton's criteria. We assessed fear intensity and frequency using a modified version of the Fear Survey Schedule (FSS-III). Intense fears, defined with a score of 3-4, were compared between hypermobile and nonhypermobile subjects. The analysis was carried out separately for men and women. Nonparametric analysis was applied throughout. Joint hypermobility syndrome was found in 19.9% (141) of women and 6.9% (41) of men. Concerning the fear survey, when we compared the groups with and without joint hypermobility, the mean total scores for both genders were significantly higher for the hypermobile group. When we analyzed each item individually, 43 out of the 44 most severe fears in women and 36 out of the 39 in men, scores were significantly higher in the hypermobile group. We found significant differences between subjects with and without joint hypermobility when assessing specific fears, reinforcing the hypothesis that intensity of fears is greater in subjects with joint hypermobility syndrome. These results show that the association of joint laxity and phobic anxiety is sustained for intense fears and might represent a susceptibility factor for these anxiety conditions.
Introduction:The objective is to evaluate the presence and clinical relevance of the Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) among patients with schizophrenia.
Introduction: The objective is to evaluate the presence and clinical relevance of the Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) among patients with schizophrenia. Methods: One hundred and twenty four outpatients with DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia were assessed by means of the following: Hospital del Mar criteria for joint Hypermobility (JHdMar), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Fear Survey Schedule (FSS) and Social Adjustment Scale (SAS). Results: JHS correlated positively with FSS (rho= 0.36p<0.0001) and negatively with age (rho=-0.34; p=0.0001). When taken as a dichotomic variable, PANSS-P (positive subscale) scores were significantly higher in the group with JHS as well (Z=2.0; p=0.045). Subjects with co-morbid panic disorder scored significantly higher in the JHdMar. JHdMar scores were linked by stepwise multiple regression to panic disorder, positive symptoms, and age(-). Conclusion: Joint hypermobility is significantly related to panic anxiety, positive symptoms and age in patients with schizophrenia. It is a probable clinical biological marker of interest.
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