Two subtypes of symptomatic joint hypermobility: a descriptive study using latent class analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate a cohort of children with symptomatic joint hypermobility.


METHODS
Case notes for 318 children with joint hypermobility attending a rheumatology clinic were reviewed for clinical presentation, medical history, psychosocial factors and physical examination findings. Seven key variables were extracted and used as indicator variables in a latent class analysis to estimate the presence and number of subgroups of children with symptomatic joint hypermobility.


RESULTS
Two subgroups with differing clinical presentations were identified accounting for age and gender: an 'athletic-persistent' class (62%) characterised by higher probabilities for recurrent and chronic musculoskeletal pain, and less severe hypermobility; and a 'systemic-profound' class (38%) characterised by generalised hypermobility, recurrent musculoskeletal pain, gastro-oesophageal reflux and motor delay.


CONCLUSION
Findings suggest the presence of two distinct presentations of children with hypermobility. This finding may be important for clinical decision-making and management of this group of children.
['Di Mattia|Francesco|F|', 'Fary|Robyn|R|', 'Murray|Kevin J|KJ|', 'Howie|Erin|E|', 'Smith|Anne|A|', 'Morris|Susan|S|']
D018771:Arthralgia D002648:Child D003657:Decision Making D015444:Exercise D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007593:Joint Instability D007596:Joints D000077272:Latent Class Analysis D008297:Male D010147:Pain Measurement D015995:Prevalence D014904:Western Australia
hypermobility musculoskeletal pain developmental coordination disorder hypermobility spectrum disorder joint hypermobility syndrome