Case–control study on generalised joint hypermobility in schoolchildren with functional gastrointestinal disorders according to Rome IV criteria in Spanish

Introduction Although results show an association between the presence of generalised joint hypermobility (GJH) and functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in children, they are limited and controversial. Objective To determine the association between GJH and FGIDs and the search for risk factors for GJH in girls from a Public Educational Institution of Tuluá, Colombia. Patients and methods The students completed the Rome IV Questionnaire to identify FGIDs. Each girl with a diagnosis of some FGIDs was matched with a healthy control of the same age. Joint laxity was assessed according to the Beighton score and was considered as GJH when it was ≥4. The prevalence of GJH was compared in girls with and without FGIDs. Results Out of a total of 921 girls between 10 and 18 years of age that participated in the study, 219 (23.8%) of them had some FGIDs. The analysis was performed in a total of 169 girls with FGIDs and 169 healthy control girls. There were no significant differences in GJH between girls with and without a diagnosis of some FGIDs (OR = 1.12: 95% CI; 0.71–1.77, P = .5838), nor were there any risk factors. Conclusion In this study, no relationship or any risk factor was found between GJH and the presence of FGIDs.