Evaluation of kinesiophobia and its correlations with pain and fatigue in joint hypermobility syndrome/Ehlers-Danlos syndrome hypermobility type.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome hypermobility type a. k. a. joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS/EDS-HT) is a hereditary musculoskeletal disorder associating generalized joint hypermobility with chronic pain. Anecdotal reports suggest a prominent role for kinesiophobia in disease manifestations, but no study has systematically addressed this point.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the impact of kinesiophobia and its relationship with pain, fatigue, and quality of life in JHS/EDS-HT.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
42 patients (40 female and 2 male) with JHS/EDS-HT diagnosis following standardized diagnostic criteria were selected.


METHODS
Disease features were analyzed by means of specific questionnaires and scales evaluating kinesiophobia, pain, fatigue, and quality of life. The relationships among variables were investigated using the Spearman bivariate analysis.


RESULTS
Kinesiophobia resulted predominantly in the patients' sample. The values of kinesiophobia did not correlate with intensity of pain, quality of life, and (or) the single component of fatigue. A strong correlation was discovered between kinesiophobia and general severity of fatigue.


CONCLUSIONS
In JHS/EDS-HT, the onset of pain-avoiding strategies is related to the presence of pain but not to its intensity. The clear-cut correlation between kinesiophobia and severity of fatigue suggests a direct link between musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. In JHS/EDS-HT, the underlying mechanism is likely to be facilitated by primary disease characteristics, including hypotonia.
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Orthopaedics, Sapienza University, Umberto I Hospital, Rome, Italy. c_celletti@libero.it
Claudia
C
Celletti
Marco
M
Castori
Giuseppe
G
La Torre
Filippo
F
Camerota
D000368:Aged; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004535:Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D007596:Joints / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life