Oxidative Stress and Musculoskeletal Pain in University Students with Generalized Joint Hypermobility: A Case–Control Study

Abstract

The current case-control study aimed to evaluate generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) and its association with pain intensity, cellular oxidative stress, and collagenassociated disorders in university students aged 18-25 years old. Background: Joint hypermobility has been recognized in healthy subjects and people who are carriers of cellular disorders in connective tissues. Cellular tissue oxidative stress and collagen-associated disorders were shown to be associated with joint hypermobility (JH). Materials and Methods: A total of 300 university students aged 18-25 years were randomly invited from different medical and science faculties in Mansoura university, Mansoura, Egypt to participate in this case-control study. Only 280 university students who had no exclusion criteria like chronic health problems, physical disability, musculoskeletal disorders, and body mass index (BMI) of ≥25 underwent an initial clinical interview and Beighton scoring as measures of GJH. Pain intensity, physical activity, oxidative stress parameters; TAC, TOC, OSI, and collagen-associated parameters; cellular prolidase activity and hydroxyproline were evaluated by using a prevalidated questionnaire, colorimetric, and immunoassay techniques. Results: GJH was significantly reported in 57.1% of the study population, and most of them are females. Compared to men, females with GJH showed poor physical activity, lower TAC, and significantly higher levels of TOC, OSI, cellular prolidase activity, and hydroxyproline. Based on our findings, a high Beighton score is closely related to the tissue levels of prolidase, hydroxyproline, antioxidant activity, pain intensity, and poor physical activity in the female with GJH compared to men. Conclusion: GJH was significantly reported in 57.1% of the study population, and most of them are females. The incidence of GJH showed to be associated with poor physical activity, abnormal cellular oxidative stress, and collagen abnormalities measured by significant increase in change in cellular prolidase activity and hydroxyproline.

Visceral Therapy and Physical Activity for Selected Dysfunctions, with Particular Emphasis on Locomotive Organ Pain in Pregnant Women—Importance of Reducing Oxidative Stress

“…In the case of long-lasting oxidative stress, damage to cells occurs, primarily as a result of the oxidation of lipids, carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids [ 31 ]. Sensations of pain in the musculoskeletal system have also been shown to be related to the occurrence of oxidative stress [ 11 ].…”

“…When oxidative stress exceeds the antioxidant defense in the placenta, oxidative damage could propagate to distal tissues. The occurrence of pain sensations in the musculoskeletal system has been shown to be related to the occurrence of oxidative stress [ 11 ].…”