Related Experiment Videos
Hypermobility among Egyptian children: prevalence and features
A K El-Garf1, G A Mahmoud, E H Mahgoub
1Department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.
The Journal of Rheumatology
|May 23, 1998
Summary
Hypermobility affects 16.1% of Egyptian children, with higher prevalence in girls. This joint laxity is more common in younger children and associated with conditions like arthralgia and flat feet.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Orthopedics
- Genetics
Background:
- Joint hypermobility is a common condition with varying prevalence globally.
- Understanding its prevalence and associated features in specific populations is crucial for early diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of hypermobility in Egyptian children.
- To identify clinical manifestations and associated features of hypermobility in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study screened 997 healthy children from diverse educational settings.
- A standardized hypermobility score assessed joint laxity.
- Clinical associations and affected joint sites were systematically recorded.
Main Results:
- Hypermobility was present in 16.1% of Egyptian children, more frequent in girls (18%) than boys (14.4%).
- Prevalence and laxity decreased with age (r = -0.967, p < 0.001).
- Fingers were most affected (96.9%), while knees were least affected (3.1%). Associated features included arthralgia, high palate, flat feet, Raynaud's phenomenon, and easy bruising.
Conclusions:
- Hypermobility is a significant finding in Egyptian children.
- Increased physician awareness is essential for timely identification and intervention.