Prevalence of joint hypermobility, hypermobility spectrum disorder and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in a university population: an observational study

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of joint hypermobility classes, hypermobility spectrum disorders,hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and their relations with sex ina university population. They are notabletopics in rehabilitation, since they represents the basis for some secondary disability conditions.Methods: Three hundred and thirty-five students met the inclusion criteria (university students who are notdisabled, without known disease, aged 18-25 years). Joint hypermobility were classified as generalized,peripheral and localized asymptomatic or hypermobility spectrum disorders. Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlossyndrome was defined according to; 1) Brighton criteria with cut-off Beighton scoring ≥ 4/9, 2) Villefranchecriteria with cut-off Beighton scoring ≥ 5/9, and 3) The 2017 International Classification of Ehlers-Danlossyndrome.Results: In total, 77.3% (n = 259) of participants had any class of joint hypermobility and 25.9% (n = 87) ofthem had generalized class. Asymptomatic joint hypermobility and hypermobility spectrum disordersprevalence in a university population were found to be 38.8% and 38.5%, respectively. Generalized, peripheral,localized asymptomatic joint hypermobility and hypermobility spectrum disorders were found; 13.1%, 4.2%,21.5%, and 12.8%, 7.5%, 18.2%, respectively. Prevalence of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome accordingto three classifications were found to be; 19.4%, 15.2%, and 1.2%, respectively.Conclusions: The most common classes are localized asymptomatic joint hypermobility in women andlocalized hypermobility spectrum disorders in men. Awareness of the prevalence of joint hypermobility,hypermobility spectrum disorders and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in healthy young population maycontribute prevention of disability.

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