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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Evaluation of Keratinocyte Proliferation on Two- and Three-dimensional Type I Collagen Substrates
Published on: April 22, 2019
Genitourinary prolapse and joint hypermobility are associated with altered type I and III collagen metabolism
E Knuuti1, S Kauppila, V Kotila
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Länsi-Pohja Central Hospital, Kemi, Finland.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to determine whether benign joint hypermobility (BJH) is associated with urogenital prolapse and altered collagen metabolism.
Methods:
43 postmenopausal women with previous vaginal hysterectomy operated due to genitourinary prolapse were recruited. Each patient was also evaluated for joint hypermobility. The collagen metabolism was studied measuring serum concentrations of type I and III procollagen aminoterminal propeptides and trivalently cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen.
Results:
Clinical joint hypermobility was found in 35% patients. Women with joint hypermobility had higher concentration of aminoterminal propeptide for type I procollagen and the values were statistically significant (P < 0.0178). Recurrent prolapse was found in 47% of the patients with BJH as compared to non-hypermobile group (25%). In this subgroup the results were statistically significant (P < 0.0085) for type III collagen. Also, the mean serum concentration for type III procollagen was significantly increased above the reference limit.
Conclusions:
Women with joint hypermobility have more recurrent genital prolapse as compared to women with normal joint mobility. Plain hypermobility was associated with higher concentrations for type I procollagen. Patients with recurrent prolapse and joint hypermobility have significantly high concentrations for type III procollagen.
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