Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Disclaimer
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by BIRRELL, F. N.
Right arrow Articles by SILMAN, A. J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by BIRRELL, F. N.
Right arrow Articles by SILMAN, A. J.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

© 1994 British Society for Rheumatology

research-article

HIGH PREVALENCE OF JOINT LAXITY IN WEST AFRICANS

F. N. BIRRELL*, A. O. ADEBAJO*, B. L. HAZLEMAN* and A. J. SILMAN{dagger}

*Rheumatotogy Research Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital Cambridge CB2 2QQ
{dagger}ARC Epidemiology Research Unit, University of Manchester Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT

Previous surveys have suggested marked ethnic and geographical variation in the occurrence of joint hypermobility. We investigated the prevalence of joint hypermobility and the influences of age, sex, body mass and occupation in a rural Yoruba population in Nigeria.

The study sample consisted of 204 individuals aged 6–66 yr from the townships of Igbo-ora and Eruwa in south western Nigeria. Sixty-eight had reported joint pain as part of a population survey of arthritic disorders and each was age and sex matched with one household and one neighbour control. Joint hypermobility was assessed, at four peripheral sites bilaterally and forward flexion of the trunk, by a single observer using the Beighton score. Each subject had weight and height recorded, answered a brief questionnaire about occupation and joint symptoms and was examined for peripheral joint disease.

Only 11 (5%) of the subjects were negative at all five sites whereas 111 (54%) were hypermobile at three or more sites including 23(11%) positive at all five. Using a score of 4/9 or greater as a cutoff, 88 (43%) were positive, including 35% of males and 57% of females. There was a linear decline with age in females but a more rapid decline only to age 35 yr in males. There was no relation to body mass or occupation.

We conclude that joint hypermobility amongst this population is substantially greater than that recorded for other groups but is not associated with joint pain.

KEY WORDS: Hypermobility, Beighton score, Joint mobility, Joint pain, Body mass index, Occupation


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Rheumatology (Oxford)Home page
H. A. Bird
Joint hypermobility in children
Rheumatology, June 1, 2005; 44(6): 703 - 704.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
R. H. H. Engelbert, R. A. Bank, R. J. B. Sakkers, P. J. M. Helders, F. A. Beemer, and C. S. P. M. Uiterwaal
Pediatric Generalized Joint Hypermobility With and Without Musculoskeletal Complaints: A Localized or Systemic Disorder?
Pediatrics, March 1, 2003; 111(3): e248 - 254.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Rheumatology (Oxford)Home page
P. Klemp, S. M. Williams, and S. A. Stansfield
Articular mobility in Maori and European New Zealanders
Rheumatology, May 1, 2002; 41(5): 554 - 557.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Rheumatology (Oxford)Home page
A. Qvindesland and H. Jonsson
Articular hypermobility in Icelandic 12-year-olds
Rheumatology, October 1, 1999; 38(10): 1014 - 1016.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Arch. Dis. Child.Home page
R. Grahame
Joint hypermobility and genetic collagen disorders: are they related?
Arch. Dis. Child., February 1, 1999; 80(2): 188 - 191.
[Full Text]

Home page
 Arch Pediatr Adolesc MedHome page
L. C. Decoster, J. C. Vailas, R. H. Lindsay, and G. R. Williams
Prevalence and Features of Joint Hypermobility Among Adolescent Athletes
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, October 1, 1997; 151(10): 989 - 992.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Ann Rheum DisHome page
P. KLEMP
Hypermobility
Ann Rheum Dis, October 1, 1997; 56(10): 573 - 575.
[Full Text]


Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.