A Study on Joint Mobility in a Normal Young School Age Populations

• Main Authors: Wuchang Chen, 陳武昌
• Other Authors: Meng-Chih Lee
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2002
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/89582130945884967713

碩士 === 中山醫學大學 === 醫學研究所 === 90 === ABSTRACT Objective. The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence of articular hypermobility and its relationship with musculoskeletal pain in Taiwan, and to obtain baseline data for a prospective study on the subject. Methods. Joint mobility was measured in a primary and secondary school populations. A total of 3044 students aged 7-15 year-old were surveyed for articular hypermobility by the Beighton’s criteria, with a total score ≧5 as a cutoff point for joint hypermobility. The children also answered a questionnaire concerning musculoskeletal pain, sports activity and injuries. Results. The total prevalence of joint hypermobility in our study was found to be 7.8%, 10.6% in girls and 5.4% in boys. In comparison, our study of hypermobility in primary school students yielded a prevalence of 11.1% and 5.7% in secondary school students. The results showed that joint mobility decreased with age and female had consistently higher degree of joint mobility compared to male throughout the age group. Of the hypermobile children, 9.7%, and of the nonhypermobile children, 13.4% (p=0.1) had musculoskeletal pain at least twice in three months. No association of hypermobility with musculoskeletal pain was found in this study. Conclusion. Both joint hypermobility and musculoskeletal pain are common in pre-adolescents, however hypermobility does not be found to influence joint symptoms or leisure activities at this age. A longterm followup of the children in our study may show whether hypermobility increases the risk of future musculoskeletal pain symptoms. Keywords : joints, hypermobility , musculoskeletal pain.