%0 Journal Article
%T Two subtypes of symptomatic joint hypermobility: a descriptive study using latent class analysis.
%A Di Mattia F
%A Fary R
%A Murray KJ
%A Howie E
%A Smith A
%A Morris S
%J Arch Dis Child
%V 104
%N 11
%D 11 2019
%M 30120142
%F 4.92
%R 10.1136/archdischild-2017-314149
%X To investigate a cohort of children with symptomatic joint hypermobility.
Case notes for 318 children with joint hypermobility attending a rheumatology clinic were reviewed for clinical presentation, medical history, psychosocial factors and physical examination findings. Seven key variables were extracted and used as indicator variables in a latent class analysis to estimate the presence and number of subgroups of children with symptomatic joint hypermobility.
Two subgroups with differing clinical presentations were identified accounting for age and gender: an 'athletic-persistent' class (62%) characterised by higher probabilities for recurrent and chronic musculoskeletal pain, and less severe hypermobility; and a 'systemic-profound' class (38%) characterised by generalised hypermobility, recurrent musculoskeletal pain, gastro-oesophageal reflux and motor delay.
Findings suggest the presence of two distinct presentations of children with hypermobility. This finding may be important for clinical decision-making and management of this group of children.