scholarly journals Exploring the underlying mechanism of pain-related disability in hypermobile adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thijs van Meulenbroek ◽  
Ivan P.J. Huijnen ◽  
Laura E. Simons ◽  
Arnoud E.A. Conijn ◽  
Raoul H.H. Engelbert ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivesA significant proportion of adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) experience difficulties in physical functioning, mood and social functioning, contributing to diminished quality of life. Generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) is a risk factor for developing CMP with a striking 35-48% of patients with CMP reporting GJH. In case GJH occurs with one or more musculoskeletal manifestations such as chronic pain, trauma, disturbed proprioception and joint instability, it is referred to as generalized hypermobility spectrum disorder (G-HSD). Similar characteristics have been reported in children and adolescents with the hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). In the management of CMP, a biopsychosocial approach is recommended as several studies have confirmed the impact of psychosocial factors in the development and maintenance of CMP. The fear-avoidance model (FAM) is a cognitive-behavioural framework that describes the role of pain-related fear as a determinant of CMP-related disability.ContentPubmed was used to identify existing relevant literature focussing on chronic musculoskeletal pain, generalized joint hypermobility, pain-related fear and disability. Relevant articles were cross-referenced to identify articles possibly missed during the primary screening. In this paper the current state of scientific evidence is presented for each individual component of the FAM in hypermobile adolescents with and without CMP. Based on this overview, the FAM is proposed explaining a possible underlying mechanism in the relations between GJH, pain-related fear and disability.Summary and outlookIt is assumed that GJH seems to make you more vulnerable for injury and experiencing more frequent musculoskeletal pain. But in addition, a vulnerability for heightened pain-related fear is proposed as an underlying mechanism explaining the relationship between GJH and disability. Further scientific confirmation of this applied FAM is warranted to further unravel the underlying mechanism.In explaining disability in individuals with G-HSD/hEDS, it is important to focus on both the physical components related to joint hypermobility, in tandem with the psychological components such as pain-related fear, catastrophizing thoughts and generalized anxiety.

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter R. Reuter ◽  
Kaylee R. Fichthorn

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) in a university-aged population, whether young adults (aged 18–25 years) with GJH are prone to sustain more musculoskeletal injuries, and are more likely to suffer from chronic musculoskeletal pain. The study used an interactive survey to gather data; GJH was assessed using a cut-off Beighton score of ≥5 in accordance with the 2017 International Classification of EDS criteria. The analyzed sample consisted of 482 female and 172 male participants from Florida Gulf Coast University (USA). The prevalence of GJH in a university-aged population can be estimated at 12.5%. Women did not have higher rates of GJH than men. However, female participants showed significantly higher rates of hypermobility of the spine as well as the right knee and elbow joints. The Beighton scores did not differ by ethnicity/race. Female participants had a lower rate of self-reported injuries than male participants, although this difference was not significant. There was no difference in the proportion of all participants classified within different categories (0; 1–4; 5–9) of Beighton scores and whether or not they reported having been injured. Male and female participants reported chronic pain of joints and neck or back at the same rates across the Beighton score categories. Female participants, however, reported higher pain intensity for chronic neck and back pain. This study increases knowledge about a correlation between GJH, musculoskeletal injuries, and chronic pain of joints, neck, and back in a university-aged population.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 525
Author(s):  
Janneke de Vries ◽  
Jeanine Verbunt ◽  
Janine Stubbe ◽  
Bart Visser ◽  
Stephan Ramaekers ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to study the association between the presence of generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) and anxiety within a non-clinical high performing group of adolescents and young adults. Second, to study the impact of GJH and/or anxiety on physical and psychosocial functioning, 168 adolescents and young adults (mean (SD) age 20 (2.9)) were screened. Joint (hyper)mobility, anxiety, and physical and psychosocial functioning were measured. In 48.8% of all high performing adolescents and young adults, GJH was present, whereas 60% had symptoms of anxiety. Linear models controlled for confounders showed that adolescents and young adults with GJH and anxiety had decreased workload (ß (95%CI) −0.43 (−0.8 to −0.08), p-value 0.02), increased fatigue (ß (95%CI) 12.97 (6.3–19.5), p-value < 0.01), and a higher level of pain catastrophizing (ß (95%CI) 4.5 (0.5–8.6), p-value 0.03). Adolescents and young adults with only anxiety had increased fatigue (ß (95%CI) 11 (4.9–19.5). In adolescents and young adults with GJH alone, no impact on physical and psychosocial functioning was found. Adolescents and young adults with the combination of GJH and anxiety were significantly more impaired, showing decreased physical and psychosocial functioning with decreased workload, increased fatigue, and pain catastrophizing. Presence of GJH alone had no negative impact on physical and psychosocial functioning. This study confirms the association between GJH and anxiety, but especially emphasizes the disabling role of anxiety. Screening for anxiety is relevant in adolescents and young adults with GJH and might influence tailored interventions.


Rheumatology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Khanom ◽  
John McBeth ◽  
Michelle Briggs ◽  
Ebru Bakir ◽  
Janet McDonagh

Abstract Background Adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain experience pain that fluctuates within and across days. The aim of this review was to (i) synthesise the qualitative literature on adolescents’ experiences of fluctuating pain in musculoskeletal disorders, (ii) identify the concept of pain flare and how this may differ from daily fluctuation of pain, and (ii) identify knowledge gaps to inform the design of future research. Methods Six electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, OpenGrey and Scopus) and reference lists of relevant articles were searched from inception to June 2018. Articles were eligible for inclusion if they were qualitative studies exploring the experiences of pain in adolescents, aged between 10–19 years, diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and chronic idiopathic pain syndromes (CIPS). Comprehensiveness of reporting was assessed using the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Health Research (COREQ) framework, and studies were analysed using thematic synthesis. Results Of the 3,787 records identified, 32 studies were included from 11 countries. 536 young people with JIA or CIPS participated in the studies, of which 509 had a diagnosis of JIA, and 27 with CIPS. Interviews were conducted in 29 studies, with 9 studies also combining interviews with focus groups, observations, questionnaires, researcher journaling, visual depictions and diaries. Although all included studies reported adolescent’s experience of pain, only 19 studies provide insight into the impact of fluctuating pain on an individual’s life and lived experience. 21 studies included data from parents, siblings, health professionals and/or individuals with other chronic illnesses, but efforts were made to only extract data referring to or expressed by adolescents with JIA or CIPS. Ages of patients ranged from 3 to 23 years, but all studies averaged within the adolescent range. Principal findings were synthesised under three themes: 1) symptom experience, 2) disruption and loss, and 3) regaining control. These themes can be seen to describe a journey through which the adolescent experiences fluctuating pain and associated symptoms, encounters the challenges to lifestyle that fluctuating pain presents, followed by employing coping strategies to regain a sense of control of their lives and pain. Each stage is experienced differently depending on individual factors such as adolescents’ developmental status, pain condition, and duration of the pain experience. Conclusion Adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain live with a daily background level of symptoms which frequently fluctuate and are associated with functional and emotional difficulties. It is not clear whether these symptoms and challenges are experienced as part of normal fluctuations in pain, or whether they reflect symptom exacerbations classified as flares. Further research is needed to explore the frequency and characteristics of pain flares, and how they differ from their normal fluctuations in pain. Conflicts of Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Timothy P. Plackett ◽  
Edward Kwon ◽  
Ronald A. Gagliano ◽  
Robert C. Oh

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome-hypermobility type (EDS-HT) is a connective tissue disorder associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The diagnosis is based on simple clinical examination, although it is easily overlooked. Herein we present a case of EDS-HT associated with hemorrhoids and suggest that there may be an association between the two conditions.


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