Prevalence of joint hypermobility in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Open accessAbstract
Background: The inconsistent results of different studies regarding the prevalence of joint hypermobility (JH) or joint laxity in children and adolescents made us conduct a meta-analysis on the prevalence of JH in this age group. Materials and Methods: We searched electronic databases including Trip, Scopus, Medline, Embase, PubMed, and Google Scholar; some Iranian databases including Iran Medex and Magiran; and Scientific Information Database to find studies in which the prevalence of JH in children and adolescents had been reported since January 1990 to April 2017. In this process, two researchers evaluated the articles separately while they were not aware of each other's method, and they extracted and matched the information. Results: Necessary data of twenty studies (15,097 boys and 6048 girls) were entered into this meta-analysis. The age range in these studies was 3–19 years. According to the meta-analysis conducted on the twenty studies, it was determined that the total prevalence of JH among children and adolescents was 34.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 33.3%–34.8%). Based on the results obtained from the studies, a significant heterogeneity (I2 index equals to 99,415 and P ≤ 0.001) was shown, so we used random-effects model; moreover, the overall assessment of studies showed a statistically significant publication bias (P = 0.02). In total, the prevalence in girls was equal to 32.5% (95% CI: 31.4%–33.7%), and in boys, it was equal to 18.1% (95% CI: 17.2%–19.1%). Conclusion: According to this meta-analysis, studies showed high heterogeneity, and the prevalence of JH in children and adolescents around the world was equal to 34.1% (95% CI: 33.3%–34.8%) in total, whereas it was higher in girls and lower in older ages.
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Evidence from the literature was reviewed although limited because of varying definitions of GJH and diagnostic criteria, precluding clinically meaningful systematic reviews.
“Initially, evidence from the literature was reviewed although limited because of varying definitions of GJH and diagnostic criteria, precluding clinically meaningful systematic reviews [10].”
From Pediatric joint hypermobility: a diagnostic framework and narrative review (2023) · cites this paper as [10]
The Discussion and Limitation sections say that differing diagnostic criteria and cutoffs caused heterogeneity and prevented the authors from including some studies. But the paper conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 20 studies; it does not say those differences precluded clinically meaningful systematic reviews. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe prevalence of GJH in children and young adults under the age of 19 is 32.5% for girls and 18.1% for boys, with a prevalence of JH around the world at 34.1%.
“The prevalence of GJH in children and young adults under the age of 19 is 32.5% for girls and 18.1% for boys, with a prevalence of JH around the world at 34.1% in this study.[15]”
From Hypermobility spectrum disorders: A review (2023) · cites this paper as [15]
GJH appears to be more likely in younger females and less likely in older males.
“GJH also appears to be more likely in younger females and less likely in older males.[15]”
From Hypermobility spectrum disorders: A review (2023) · cites this paper as [15]
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- Authors
- Motalebi, M., Sobhani-Eraghi, A., Sarreshtehdari, S., Molazem-Sanandaji, B., & Hasanlu, Z.
- Affiliations
- Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences (IR)
- Iran University of Medical Sciences (IR)
- Corresponding author
- Motalebi, Mohsen
- Venue
- Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
- Published
- 2020
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 104
- ISSN
- 1735-1995 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC8019126
- OpenAlex
- W3106721272
- Cited by
- 32
- References
- 40
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 5
- FWCI
- 0.36
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by-nc-sa
- Locations
- Journal of Research in Medical Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Connective tissue disorders research
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Oral and gingival health research
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Dermatological and Skeletal Disorders
- Keywords
- joint hypermobility, joint laxity, prevalence, children, adolescents, sex differences, age differences, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
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