Background Generalized Joint hypermobility (GJH) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) are two clinical conditions that may cause common musculoskeletal pain during childhood.

Objectives Our study aimed to evaluate the frequency of juvenile FMS and GJH in children aged 11-18 years in the province, Trabzon as well as the correlation between these two conditions.

Methods This cross-sectional study was performed with 437 students aged 11-18 years who receive education in the province, Trabzon. Questionnaire forms were filled in, and each student was examined. The children, who reported to have any disease, were excluded from the study. GJH was diagnosed according to criteria of Beighton diagnosis. The presence of FMS was determined according to the 1990 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria

Results A total of 437 students, 209 of whom are girls (52.2%) and 228 (47.8%) of whom are boys, participated in the study. The mean age was 14.3±1.7 years for girls and 14.7±1.79 years for boys. The frequency of GJH was found to be 9.1% and the frequency of FMS was found to be 5.9% for students who were included in the study. While significant difference was observed among the female and male participants in terms of the frequency of GJH (p=0.023), no such difference was detected among the genders in FMS (p=0.065). A statistically significant and highly negative correlation was found between age and Beighton score (r=-0.187, p<0.001). A statistically significant and highly negative correlation was found between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Beighton score (r=-0.097, p<0.05). There was a correlation between success level at school and tender point. Both FMS and GJH were detected in one patient. No correlation was detected between Beighton score and tender point.

Conclusions As with children in other countries, GJH and FMS are non-rare clinical conditions in Turkey as well. They seem to be cases independent of each other. The clinicians must also consider GJH and FMS in differential diagnosis especially in children who present with complaints of musculoskeletal system pain.

References none

Disclosure of Interest None Declared