title: Differences in body structure and function between patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and healthy individuals, with particular reference to joint hypermobility.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore differences in body structure and function in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and controls, with particular reference to joint hypermobility, and to evaluate the usefulness of the Brighton criteria for diagnosing joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) in SLE.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female SLE patients were, according to age group, consecutively invited to participate in the study. Controls were healthy females matched for age. All individuals were examined by a physician according to the Brighton criteria, and by an occupational therapist and a physiotherapist to obtain the Beighton scores, overall joint mobility, and manifestations in body structure and function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen (23%) SLE patients and 19 (27%) controls had a Beighton score ≥ 4 (non-significant, ns), and 39 (55%) individuals in the SLE group and 22 (31%) in the control group satisfied the Brighton criteria for JHS (p < 0.01). Many individuals in both groups exceeded the normative values for joint mobility in joints other than those included in the Beighton score. Stratifying for a Beighton score ≥ 4 vs. < 4, there were no significant differences in body structure or body function constituting JHS either in the SLE patients or in the controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the presence of joint hypermobility in SLE patients was frequent, we could not verify that this caused excess manifestations in addition to the SLE symptoms.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical Sciences, Section of Rheumatology , Lund University , Lund , Sweden.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Johnsson
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical Sciences, Section of Rheumatology , Lund University , Lund , Sweden.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kohlin
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical Sciences, Section of Rheumatology , Lund University , Lund , Sweden.
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Rasmusson
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical Sciences, Section of Rheumatology , Lund University , Lund , Sweden.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Bengtsson
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical Sciences, Section of Rheumatology , Lund University , Lund , Sweden.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sturfelt
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical Sciences, Section of Rheumatology , Lund University , Lund , Sweden.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Nived
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D007596:Joints / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged