Generalized joint hypermobility and voiding dysfunction in children: is there any relationship?

Voiding dysfunction is a common entity in pediatric urology. It is believed to have a multifactorial etiology. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is an increased prevalence of generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) in children with voiding dysfunction compared to normal children. Moreover, the prevalence of voiding complaints in patients with and without GJH was assessed. A total of 226 children—aged 5 to 14 years—including 113 patients diagnosed with voiding dysfunction and 113 sex/age/body mass index-matched normal children were recruited. GJH was evaluated in both groups using the Beighton score (4 or more = hypermobile). In the patient’s group, GJH was significantly more frequent than in controls: 51/113 (45 %) versus 19/113 (17 %) (P = 0.001). In addition, in both groups, GJH was more prominent in girls than boys (P < 0.05). Urinary tract infection was the most frequent features in children with voiding dysfunction (64 %). In the subgroup of positive GJH, urinary tract infection remained the most common manifestation among the girls (P = 0.003), while constipation was the most prevalent manifestation among the boys (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that children with voiding dysfunction have significantly higher prevalence of GJH compared to normal children. Further studies are needed to determine the cause and effect of these two common presentations and will help to develop a multidisciplinary approach in understanding and management of voiding dysfunction in children.