Cliffton Chan1, Luke Hopper2, Feili Zhang3, Verity Pacey4, Leslie L Nicholson5. 1. The University of Sydney, Discipline of Biomedical Science, Sydney Medical School, New South Wales, Australia. 75 East St, Lidcombe, New South Wales, 1825, Australia. Electronic address: cliffton.chan@sydney.edu.au. 2. Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia. 1/2 Bradford St, Menora, Western Australia, 6050, Australia. Electronic address: l.hopper@ecu.edu.au. 3. The University of Sydney, Discipline of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, New South Wales, Australia. 75 East St, Lidcombe, New South Wales, 1825, Australia. Electronic address: fzha7422@uni.sydney.edu.au. 4. Macquarie University, Department of Health Professions, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, New South Wales, Australia. 75 Talavera Rd, Macquarie, New South Wales, 2109, Australia. Electronic address: verity.pacey@mq.edu.au. 5. The University of Sydney, Discipline of Biomedical Science, Sydney Medical School, New South Wales, Australia. 75 East St, Lidcombe, New South Wales, 1825, Australia. Electronic address: leslie.nicholson@sydney.edu.au.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of Generalized Joint Hypermobility (GJH) and Joint Hypermobility Syndrome/Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome-Hypermobility Type (JHS/EDS-HT) among dancers using established validated measures. DESIGN: Observational Cohort Study. SETTING: Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: 85 dancers from two dance institutions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: GJH was determined using the Beighton score (cut-point ≥5/9) and the Lower Limb Assessment Scale (LLAS) (cut-point ≥7/12). Presence of JHS/EDS-HT was assessed using the Brighton and Villefranche criteria. Paired sample t-test was performed to compare LLAS side-to-side scores, and percentage disagreements calculated to determine differences between the two GJH and the two JHS/EDS-HT measures. RESULTS: 72% of dancers met the Beighton cut-point for GJH, while 38% and 42% met the LLAS cut-point on the left and right respectively. The proportion of dancers identified with GJH was different when assessed using the Beighton compared to the left and right LLAS (both p < 0.001), a disagreement of 48% and 46% respectively, with Beighton classifying more participants as having GJH. The Villefranche identified more dancers with JHS/EDS-HT than the Brighton (84% vs 31%, p < 0.001), with 54% disagreement. CONCLUSIONS: High prevalence of generalized and syndromic hypermobility was found regardless of the criteria used. A higher Beighton cut-point, e.g. ≥6/9, to identify true GJH amongst dancers maybe warranted.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of Generalized Joint Hypermobility (GJH) and Joint Hypermobility Syndrome/Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome-Hypermobility Type (JHS/EDS-HT) among dancers using established validated measures. DESIGN: Observational Cohort Study. SETTING: Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: 85 dancers from two dance institutions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: GJH was determined using the Beighton score (cut-point ≥5/9) and the Lower Limb Assessment Scale (LLAS) (cut-point ≥7/12). Presence of JHS/EDS-HT was assessed using the Brighton and Villefranche criteria. Paired sample t-test was performed to compare LLAS side-to-side scores, and percentage disagreements calculated to determine differences between the two GJH and the two JHS/EDS-HT measures. RESULTS: 72% of dancers met the Beighton cut-point for GJH, while 38% and 42% met the LLAS cut-point on the left and right respectively. The proportion of dancers identified with GJH was different when assessed using the Beighton compared to the left and right LLAS (both p < 0.001), a disagreement of 48% and 46% respectively, with Beighton classifying more participants as having GJH. The Villefranche identified more dancers with JHS/EDS-HT than the Brighton (84% vs 31%, p < 0.001), with 54% disagreement. CONCLUSIONS: High prevalence of generalized and syndromic hypermobility was found regardless of the criteria used. A higher Beighton cut-point, e.g. ≥6/9, to identify true GJH amongst dancers maybe warranted.