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scientific articles

Disability in Adolescents and Adults Diagnosed With Hypermobility-Related Disorders: A Meta-Analysis

key information

source: Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

year: 2016

authors: Scheper MC, Juul-Kristensen B, Rombaut L, Rameckers EA, Verbunt J, Engelbert RH

summary/abstract:

OBJECTIVE:
To (1) establish the association of the most common reported symptoms on disability; and (2) study the effectiveness of treatment on disability in patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome-hypermobility type (EDS-HT)/hypermobility syndrome (HMS).
DATA SOURCES:
An electronic search (Medical Subject Headings and free-text terms) was conducted in bibliographic databases CENTRAL/MEDLINE.
STUDY SELECTION:
Comparative, cross-sectional, longitudinal cohort studies and (randomized) controlled trials including patients with HMS/EDS-HT aged ≥17 years were considered for inclusion. A class of symptoms was included when 5 publications were available. In regards to treatment (physical, cognitive interventions), only (randomized) controlled trials were considered. Surgical and medicinal interventions were excluded.
DATA EXTRACTION:
Bias was assessed according to the methodological scoring tools of the Cochrane collaboration. Z-score transformations were applied to classify the extent of disability in comparison with healthy controls and to ensure comparability between studies.
DATA SYNTHESIS:
Initially, the electronic search yielded 714 publications, and 21 articles remained for analysis after selection. The following symptoms were included for meta-analysis: pain (n=12), fatigue (n=6), and psychological distress (n=7). Pain (r=.64, P=.021), fatigue (r=.91, P=.011), and psychological distress (r=.86, P=.018) had a significant impact on disability. Regarding treatment, a significant pain reduction was achieved by a variety of physical and cognitive approaches. Treatment effectiveness on disability was not established.
CONCLUSIONS:
Disability can affect patients with HMS/EDS-HT significantly and is highly correlated with both physical and psychological factors. Although evidence is available that physical and psychological treatment modalities can induce significant pain reduction, the evidence regarding disability reduction is lacking.

organization: Amsterdam Center for Innovative Health Practice, University of Applied Sciences Amsterdam; Academic Medical Center Amsterdam; Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark; Institute of Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Radiography, Bergen University College; Ghent University; Maastricht University Medical Center, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care; Adelante Center of Expertise in Rehabilitation and Audiology; University of Applied Sciences, AVANS+ Breda

DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2016.02.015

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