The Presentation of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Is Not Influenced by the Presence or Absence of Joint Hypermobility

Abstract

Objective: To examine demographic and clinical characteristics of individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) with and without joint hypermobility We hypothesized that patients who were joint hypermobility-positive would have an earlier onset of ME/CFS symptoms as well as increased severity, a greater number of comorbid conditions, and a lower health-related quality of life.

Study design: From an observational cohort study of 55 individuals meeting the Fukuda criteria for ME/CFS, we compared groups using a Beighton score cutoff of 4 or higher to indicate joint hypermobility. Chart data were collected to examine the age and type of onset of ME/CFS and the presence of comorbid conditions. The impact on quality of life was assessed through questionnaires that included the Peds QL, Functional Disability Inventory, Peds QL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale, and Anxiety Subscale of the Symptom Checklist 90.

Results: There was no significant difference between groups in mean ± SD age at onset of ME/CFS (13.3 ± 3.3 years vs 13.3 ± 2.3 years; P = .92), sex, frequency, and severity of ME/CFS symptoms, orthostatic intolerance symptoms, or comorbid conditions. There was no significant difference between the groups in measures of health-related quality of life using a Beighton score cutoff of 4 or a cutoff of 5 to define joint hypermobility.

Conclusions: Despite being a risk factor for the development of ME/CFS, joint hypermobility as defined in this study was not associated with other clinical characteristics of the illness.

Keywords: Beighton score; Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; chronic fatigue syndrome; joint hypermobility; myalgic encephalomyelitis.