Background Although benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS) is very common in the general population, the diagnosis is frequently missed. The reasons may be that BJHS is not a life threatening condition and most BJHS patients conduct normal life. Unfortunatly, most BJHS patients are frustrated, wandering from one physician to the other.

Objectives To evaluate whether people with BJHS regard themselves as healthy or ill.

Methods Forty people were diagnosed as having BJHS in a rheumatology clinic and were compared to 26 healthy controls. A skilled rheumatologist reviewed and examined all of them and fulfilled a questionnaire about their articular and non articular complaints as well as their well being. The questionnairs were statistically analysed.

Results All BJHS patients were working and conducing active life. In average, BJHS patients suffered from joint pain in 8.53 joints in the last 3 months, opposed to 0.77 joints in the control group. 58% of the BJHS patients, but non of the controls had considered themself ill. On a direct question, all those who regard themselves as ill pointed their joints as the reason for it, although 30% of them had extra articular manifestations.

Conclusion Most of the people suffering from BJHS consider themselves ill. BJHS should be looked at as a disease by the Physician.