%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.