Joint hypermobility is not positively associated with prevalent multiple joint osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study of older adults

Abstract

Background This cross-sectional study evaluated associations of joint hypermobility and multiple joint osteoarthritis (MJOA) in a community-based cohort of adults 45+ years of age. Methods MJOA and joint hypermobility data were from 1677 participants (mean age 69 years, 68% women) who completed research clinic visits during 2003–2010. Prevalent MJOA was defined in four ways. Radiographic OA (rOA) was defined as Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) > 2 at any included study joint; symptomatic OA (sxOA) required both symptoms and rOA in a joint. Joint hypermobility was defined as a Beighton score of > 4. Separate logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) between joint hypermobility and each MJOA definition, adjusting for age, sex, race, body mass index, and baseline visit. Results In this cohort, 4% had Beighton score > 4 and 63% met any definition of MJOA. Joint hypermobility was associated with significantly lower odds of radiographic and symptomatic MJOA-1 (multiple joint OA-definition 1: involvement of > 1 IP (interphalangeal) nodes and > 2 sites of hip, knee, and spine; 74 and 58% lower, respectively). However, for the other MJOA definitions (i.e., MJOA-2:involvement of > 2 IP joints, > 1 carpometacarpal [CMC] joints, and knee or hip sites; MJOA-3: involvement of > 5 joint sites from among distal interphalangeal, proximal interphalangeal, CMC, hip, knee, or spine sites; and MJOA-4:involvement of > 2 lower body sites (hip, knee, or spine), there were no statistically significant associations. For associations between site-specific hypermobility and any MJOA definition, most adjusted ORs were less than one, but few were statistically significant. Conclusions Overall, joint hypermobility was not positively associated with any definition of prevalent MJOA in this cohort, and an inverse association existed with one definition of MJOA. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the contribution of hypermobility to the incidence and progression of MJOA outcomes.

Joint hypermobility and its association with self‐reported knee health: A cross‐sectional study of healthy Australian adults

“…Such sparse and unremarkable associations between generalized joint hypermobility and knee health were also noted in other recent studies. 18,29,30 However, our study is in stark contrast to that of a large Danish study. 12 They found that those with knee-specific and generalized joint hypermobility were twice as likely to report symptoms, poorer QoL, and functional limitations.…”

“…9 Subsequent studies reported similar findings in Caucasians, [10][11][12] African-Americans, 13 and Middle Eastern populations. 14,15 Conversely, other studies suggest generalized joint hypermobility as a factor protecting hypermobile Caucasians [16][17][18] and African Americans 17,18 from developing osteoarthritis. Such conflicting results regarding the association between generalized joint hypermobility or knee-specific hypermobility with knee health and pain may be explained by the diverse set of outcome measures and their suggested reference values/cut-offs used to quantify these factors.…”

The Effect of Benign Joint Hypermobility on Pain, Physical Function and Quality of Life in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

“…In another study, hypermobility found to increase the risk of OA [22]. A study investigating the relationship between hypermobility and multiple joint OA did not nd any relationship [23].…”

Pelvic Girdle Pain, Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder and Hypermobility-Type Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A Narrative Literature Review

“…Complications can include joint pain, dislocations and instability which can limit daily activities and quality of life. Previous research has highlighted that there may be a link between JH and development of osteoarthritis secondary to the increased stress placed on joints, however studies have reported mixed findings [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Although JH has disadvantages linked to increased risk of injury and anxiety, particularly in contact sports, in others such as gymnastics and ballet it may in fact be advantageous [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”