Are diagnostic criteria for general joint hypermobility and benign joint hypermobility syndrome based on reproducible and valid tests? A review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE

In this review we focus on current knowledge of the reliability of tests and diagnostic criteria for generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) and benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS).

METHODS

Currently, The British Society of Rheumatology recommends the Beighton scoring system. With this approach, GJH is judged present when 4 or more of 9 tests are positive. Curiously, only one inter/intrarater reproducibility study is available and it uses a cutoff level of 6, rather than the Beighton-recommended 4 positive tests.

RESULTS

Using a 6 cut level, intra- and interobserver kappa scores were 0.75 and 0.78, respectively. Beighton scoring recommendations have been correlated with a global joint mobility index as well as with 2 other scoring systems, the Carter and Wilkinson, and the Rotès-Quérol. All illustrate high concurrent validity with one another. For the recently proposed Brighton criteria diagnosing BJHS no reproducibility studies exist. In the latter, the recommendations reflect high nosographic sensitivity and specificity while predictive values for positive test scores are poor.

CONCLUSION

In general, the reproducibility of the various tests seems to be good, especially when performed by experienced rheumatologists.