Is joint hypermobility important in prepubertal children?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate serum prolidase activity and its relationship with collagen metabolism and joint hypermobility, and to determine the prevalence and characteristics of joint hypermobility in prepubertal children. Serum prolidase activity was measured spectrophotometrically. Joint hypermobility was defined using Beighton criteria. The children underwent complete history and physical examination. Serum levels of prolidase were lower in the hypermobile group compared with controls and no statistical difference (1,598.61 +/- 54.99, 1,741.89 +/- 57.54; P > 0.05). However, there was significant negative correlation between prolidase level and Beighton score (r = -0.295, P = 0.002). The prevalence of hypermobility was distributed as follows: >or=4, 39.3%; >or=5, 22.7%; >or=6, 13.3%. There was correlation between joint hypermobility and pes planus (P = 0.006), arthralgia (P = 0.042), and musculoskeletal disorders in mother and/or father (P < 0.001). The decrease in prolidase activity may be related with collagen metabolism in joint hypermobility Therefore, joint hypermobility appeared to warrant further investigation due to concomitant signs and symptoms.

Serum prolidase activity in benign joint hypermobility syndrome

“…In a study, Galicka et al [21] found lower prolidase enzyme activity in osteogenesis imperfecta cells. In another study conducted on children with joint hypermobility, who met the Beighton diagnostic criteria, Yazgan et al [18] found lower prolidase activity in the patients compared to the controls, which was not statistically significant. Both studies concluded that decreased prolidase activity might affect the cellular growth and the collagen metabolism.…”

“…Prolidase is an enzyme which can influence the collagen structure in patients with BJHS. There is a study in the literature which evaluates the prolidase activity in children with hypermobility [18]. The current work is the first study to investigate the prolidase activity in adult females.…”

“…In their study, Mishra et al found that 31% of the patients with BJHS had joint pain, while 10% had ligament injury, another 10% had tendinopathy and 4% had subluxation [26]. Furthermore, Shiari et al [27] found that the frequency of joint pain was % 35.4 among patients with BJHS, whereas Yazgan et al concluded that 30% of the children with BJHS had joint pain, 10% had pes planus and 4% had myalgia [18]. …”

“…After adding 300 μL Tris HCl buffer, pH 7.8, and 1 mL ninhydrin solution (3 g/dL ninhydrin was melted in 0.5 mol/L orthophosphoric acid), the mixture was incubated at 90°C for 20 minutes and then cooled with ice. Later on, absorbance was measured at a 515 nm wavelength to determine the proline by using the method recommended by Myara et al [16,18]. This method is a modified version of Chinard’s method [21].…”

“…A study conducted in children with hypermobility reports a lower prolidase activity compared with that in control [18] although conducting a similar study is not seen in adult patients with BJHS. The presenst study involves female adult patients with BJHS.…”