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Joint hypermobility and its association with self‐reported knee health: A cross‐sectional study of healthy Australian adults
Author(s) -
Chan Cliffton,
Qi Haiwei H.,
Baldwin Jennifer N.,
McKay Marnee J.,
Burns Joshua,
Nicholson Leslie L.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of rheumatic diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1756-185X
pISSN - 1756-1841
DOI - 10.1111/1756-185x.14096
Subject(s) - joint hypermobility , medicine , cross sectional study , physical therapy , osteoarthritis , knee joint , surgery , pathology , alternative medicine
Aim The primary aim of this study was to determine the association between generalized joint hypermobility (GJH), knee‐specific hypermobility (KSH) and self‐reported knee health in an Australian population. Secondary aims included elucidating ethnic/gender differences in GJH/KSH prevalence and knee health, and identifying KSH using a novel knee extension range of motion cut‐off method. Method Knee extension range, Beighton score, and 5 domains of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) were collected from adults aged 18‐101 years self‐identifying as healthy, and were grouped by ethnicity and gender. Two established Beighton score criteria and 1 novel knee extension range cut‐off method were used to determine GJH and KSH respectively. Point‐biserial correlation tested the associations between GJH/KSH and KOOS. Differences in GJH/KSH prevalence and knee health between ethnic/gender groups were determined with the Chi‐squared test. Results Of 732 participants (50% male), 80.3% were Caucasian. No correlations were found between GJH and KOOS while a very weak correlation was found between KSH and 1 KOOS domain ( r > −.30; P = .04). Prevalence of GJH was higher in non‐Caucasians (17.4% vs 5.6%, P < .001) and females (4.4% vs 1.1%, P = .007). Prevalence of KSH between ethnic and gender groups was not significantly different ( P = .50 and P = .69 respectively). Non‐Caucasians scored higher (better) in all KOOS domains than Caucasians (all P < .05). Conclusion Those who met the age‐ and gender‐specific criteria for GJH/KSH did not report worse knee health than their non‐hypermobile counterparts. Clinicians can assure individuals who exhibit GJH/KSH that these are not associated with lower knee health and function.