The Comorbidity of Benign Hypermobility Joint Syndrome and Functional Constipation in Children

Plain-language summary

Benign Hypermobility Joint Syndrome is a group of inherited abnormalities in the structure of connective tissues, manifested by disturbances in the proportion of collagen. The main symptoms of this syndrome include: laxity of joint capsules and ligaments, hypermobility of the joints, as well as numerous disturbances in the functioning of internal organs that contain connective tissue, including the gastrointestinal tract. Hypermobility of joints affects approximately 10% of the population of Western countries, is more common in small children and female. Modified Beighton scale is the basic scale for assessing hypermobility of joints. The scale (as assessed using the goniometer) is a reliable tool for the evaluation of excessive laxity of the connective tissue in children. Functional constipation is a very common condition, affecting approximately 3-5% of children and adolescents, with peak onset between 2 and 4 years of age. The etiology of this disorder is multifactorial, and till day it is still exactly unknown why some children develop constipation, while in others we can observe the correct scheme of defecation. Suspending stool enhances the retention of fecal masses, which subsequently causes painful defecation. Diagnosis is based on history, clinical symptoms and physical examination. Increased susceptibility of the wall of the distal gastrointestinal tract could explain the predisposition of some children to retain fecal masses and the development of constipation. Due to the unclear etiology of functional constipation, it seems reasonable to conduct a study assessing whether excessive laxity of connective tissue (assessed on the basis of the hypermobility of the joints) facilitates the accumulation of stool in the large intestine, and so is the one of the reasons leading to development of functional constipation in children.

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