Signs and symptoms of Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) to consider when diagnosing this condition.

Bravo JF¹, Wolff C².

1.- San Juan de Dios Hospital,

2.- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Chile.

Santiago, Chile

Purpose. Facilitate the diagnosis of JHS, a frequent form of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) that for most authors is the same as EDS type III, which usually goes undiagnosed.

Methods. We have studied 1395 JHS patients during the last 8 years, in our adult Rheumatology Clinic, in Santiago, Chile. In this study, the Beighton score (BSc), the Brighton Criteria (BC) and a checklist for frequent signs and symptoms of JHS were used. Age range: 16 - 87 y/o. Average age: 45.9. Females 78.1%. Patients were grouped by ages. Group A. (226 patients; 16.2%) less than 30 y/o, Group B, (571; 40.9%) and Group C. (598; 42.9%) 50 y/o or older. Chi squared test was used for statistical analysis.

Results. In the total group we found: negative BSc 56.9%; Marfanoids 14.6%; Light blue sclera 77.2% (M 56.0%, F 83.1%); Dysautonomia (Dys) 44.6% (M 23.8%, F 50.5%). Frequency of Dys in M by groups: A 52.0%, B 27.7%, C 10.6%; In F: A 80.2%, B 61.8%, C 27.8%. Low BMD (Osteopenia and Osteoporosis(O)) was present in 70.9% (M 79.3%, F 69.1%). Frequency of low BMD in M by groups: A 66.7%, B 74.4%, C 86.7%. In F: A 68.6%, B 63.2%, C 73.4%. Frequency of O: M 25.6%, F 23.1%. O: in M by groups: A 16.7% B 16.3%, C 35.0%, in F: A 17.6%, B 14.5%, C 30.2%. Frequency of other signs studied are noted as follows:

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