Prevalence of Generalized Joint Hypermobility and Predictive Factors for Ligamentous Laxity Among Young Adults in a Nigerian Community

Background and Objective: Joint hypermobility is a condition in which the joint stretches beyond the normal range of motion (ROM). This study investigated the gender point prevalence of joint hypermobility among undergraduates of the College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus and its predictions for the future occurrence of ligamentous laxity. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed with a stratified random sampling technique on 368 willing participants. A universal goniometer was used to check for joint ROM and the Beighton scoring was used to estimate the prevalence of joint hypermobility with the Beighton criteria to further distinguish those with the syndrome. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentage. Mann Whitney U and Chi-square test was used to test the hypothesis with the significance level pegged at 0.05. Bivariate multiple regression was used to show how their sociodemographic and clinical features can predict the future occurrence of ligamentous laxity. Results: It was revealed that the majority of the participants had a normal BMI with a mean score of 23.79±3.879. The majority indicated no joint pain (80.2%) and no family history of hypermobility (52.4%) majority had a high level of physical fitness (61.1%). The mean Beighton score was 3.86±2.293 and ranged from 0-9. Conclusion: Gender, age and body mass index had no significant correlation with the joint hypermobility status of the participants hence occurrence of ligamentous laxity cannot be predicted by gender, age and body mass index (p>0.05). However, a positive and significant relationship existed between joint pain, family history of physical fitness and the occurrence of ligamentous laxity (p<0.05).