Visual evoked potential in generalized joint hypermobility: A case-control study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Ophthalmology
• Genetics

Background:

• Generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) is often associated with hereditary connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
• Cerebrovascular complications are common in GJH, necessitating better understanding for diagnosis and prevention.
• Visual evoked potentials (VEP) can detect neurological alterations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate visual evoked potential (VEP) changes in patients with GJH.
• To compare VEP parameters between individuals with GJH and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 90 GJH patients (Beighton score) and 90 healthy controls.
• All participants underwent VEP testing.
• Comparison of P100 amplitude and latency between groups.

Main Results:

• GJH patients exhibited significantly higher Beighton scores and P100 latency compared to controls (p < .0001).
• A significant positive correlation was found between P100 latency and Beighton score in GJH patients (p < .0001).
• No significant correlation was observed in the control group.

Conclusions:

• GJH patients show distinct VEP alterations, particularly increased P100 latency, even without prior neurological or musculoskeletal issues.
• These VEP changes may signify GJH's direct impact or predict future neurological conditions, including Multiple Sclerosis.
• Further longitudinal studies are required to clarify the implications of these VEP findings.