Hypermobility: features and differential incidence between the sexes

Abstract

Six hundred sixty individuals from a music school were studied to determine the frequency of incidence and the nature of their hypermobility. They were interviewed and examined for the 5 recognized features of hypermobility (laxity of the thumbs, fingers, elbows, spine, and knees). The incidence of hypermobility, according to the number of joints involved, followed an empiric geometric law. Approximately 27 % of the individuals had 1 lax joint, whereas only 3% possessed all 5 features. Specific features were present at different frequencies in the 2 sexes. The ratio of the occurrence of 2 features in women compared with the occurrence in men was 2:l. Ratios for the Occurrence of 3,4, and 5 features were 4:1,8:1, and 3:1, respectively. Thus, hypermobility was a predominantly female characteristic. Joint laxity declined with age, although not to a statistically significant degree. In men, the decline started when they were in their mid-twenties; however, in women, joint laxity continued through the midforties.Joint laxity has fascinated people since time immemorial. However, it was not until the end of the nineteenth century that hypermobility was considered to be a problem in clinical practice. Kirk et a1 (1) were

Prevalence of Generalized Joint Hypermobility and Fibromyalgia Syndrome in the Children Population of Trabzon: A Turkish Study

“…As shown by various studies, one 9 of the significant reasons for extremity pain is GJH (10,12,13). In our study, no significant correlation was found between GJH and joint pain.…”

“…Previous studies have shown that hypermobility decreases with increasing age (10,11). It was reported that the prevalence of hypermobility is between 10 and 25% in children (12).…”

Joint hypermobility syndromes: The pathophysiologic role of tenascin‐X gene defects

“…Joint laxity differs markedly between sexes and among races, women being generally 1.5 to 3 times more lax-jointed than men, and the condition is more prevalent among Asian and African races than among Caucasians. Epidemiologic studies have shown a prevalence of joint hypermobility of 0.6-31.5%, depending on the criteria used (e.g., race, age, and sex) (1)(2)(3). Joint hypermobility also has a strong genetic component, with female twin studies showing that at least 70% of the variance in phenotype can be attributed to genetic factors (4).…”

Comparison Between Muscular Torque and H/Q Ratio in Normal Children and Children With Generalized Joint Hypermobility

“…The prevalence of generalized joint hypermobility in children varies between 10% and 25% and is related to age, gender, and race [11]. In addition, Gedalia et al, [12] reported that, Children possess an inherently greater range of motion in their joints than adults, with a gradual reduction in this range observed with age.…”