Reliability of the Beighton Hypermobility Index to determinate the general joint laxity performed by dentists.
The findings in the literature concerning an association between general joint laxity (GJL) and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are inconsistent. Both differences in study designs and the lack of information about the precision of GJL measurements may be contributing to this inconsistency.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was thus to investigate the reliability (the inter-rater and intra-rater test-retest reliability and internal consistency) of GJL measurements taken by dentists in a general dental practice setting.


METHODS
A cohort of 50 patients ranging from 20 to 60 years in age (56% female) from a general dental practice was examined twice by two dentists addressing the GJL according to the Beighton Index. The second exam took place after 4 weeks. The inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of measurements was calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Cronbach's alpha was used to assess the measurements' internal consistency.


RESULTS
Inter- and intra-rater reliability was found to be very good to excellent (ICC: 0.84-0.94). Cronbach's alpha (mean 0.75, range 0.66-79) yielded acceptable internal consistency measurements.


CONCLUSIONS
The Beighton Index is a reliable instrument for dentists when assessing general joint laxity.
Hirsch
Christian
C
Department of Preventive Dentistry and Pediatric Dentistry, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/S., Germany. christian.hirsch@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Hirsch
Monique
M
John
Mike T
MT
Bock
Jens Johannes
JJ
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology