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Joint mobility and mitral valve prolapse in an Arab population.
C N Rajapakse1, I O Al-Orainey, S S Al-Harthi
1Department of Medicine, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
British Journal of Rheumatology
|December 1, 1987
Summary
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is linked to increased joint laxity. This study found higher joint mobility scores in MVP patients compared to controls, suggesting a shared connective tissue abnormality.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Genetics
Background:
- The relationship between joint laxity and mitral valve prolapse (MVP) remains debated in medical literature.
- Connective tissue disorders are suspected to underlie both conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between joint laxity and mitral valve prolapse (MVP) in an Arab population.
- To determine if joint mobility differs between individuals with MVP and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 29 subjects diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and 60 healthy controls.
- Joint mobility was assessed using standardized joint mobility scores.
- The MVP group included both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals.
Main Results:
- Subjects with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) exhibited significantly higher joint mobility scores compared to the control group.
- This elevated score was observed in both symptomatic and asymptomatic MVP individuals.
- The findings indicate a statistically significant link between MVP and joint laxity.
Conclusions:
- Joint laxity is significantly associated with mitral valve prolapse (MVP).
- The results support the hypothesis that an underlying abnormality in connective tissue structure may contribute to both MVP and joint laxity.
- Further research into connective tissue abnormalities is warranted.