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

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

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

Brief 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

Detailed Summary:

Clinical question: Is there among patients with functional constipation increased percentage of children with Benign Hypermobility Joint Syndrome, compared with a population of healthy children? In discussion we would like to determine whether the excessive laxity of connective tissue can promote the development of functional constipation in children.

Description of the study:

  1. Anamnesis and physical examination of the patient
  2. The consent of the parents and the patient (if > 15 years) to participate in the study
  3. Determining whether the patient meets the criteria for inclusion in the study
  4. The exclusion of patients meeting the exclusion criteria for the study - on the basis of anamnesis and physical examination (including neurological) and diagnostic tests (biochemical and electrolyte TSH -, Na, K, Ca, P, Mg), if indicated
  5. In patients classified to the study, the degree of laxity of the connective tissue will be assessed in the basis of modified Beighton scale
  6. In the control group - patients without constipation in an interview - the degree of laxity of the connective tissue will be assessed in the basis of modified Beighton scale
  7. Evaluation of the results.

Rome III Criteria Functional Constipation

Diagnostic criteria must include one month in children up to 4 years of age and two months in older children(with insufficient criteria for diagnosis of IBS) of at least two of the following:

  1. Two or fewer
    Sponsor: Medical University of Warsaw

    Current Primary Outcome: The comorbidity of benign hypermobility joint syndrome and functional constipation in children (in %) [ Time Frame: April 2017 ]

    The Hypermobility of the connective tissue as one of the etiological factors of functional constipation in children


    Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

    Current Secondary Outcome:

    • The comorbidity of BHJS and functional constipation, depending on age (in %) [ Time Frame: April 2017 ]
    • The comorbidity of BHJS and functional constipation, depending on gender (in %) [ Time Frame: April 2017 ]


    Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

    Information By: Medical University of Warsaw

    Dates:
    Date Received: July 16, 2016
    Date Started: April 2015
    Date Completion: October 2017
    Last Updated: March 29, 2017
    Last Verified: March 2017