title: Reliability of the Beighton Hypermobility Index to determinate the general joint laxity performed by dentists.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Preventive Dentistry and Pediatric Dentistry, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/S., Germany. christian.hirsch@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Hirsch
authors: Monique
authors: M
authors: Hirsch
authors: Mike T
authors: MT
authors: John
authors: Jens Johannes
authors: JJ
authors: Bock
mesh_terms: 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