Prioritising musculoskeletal health research questions in people with generalised joint hypermobility
Generalised joint hypermobility (GJH) is more prevalent than previously thought presenting itself in rheumatology, orthopaedic, emergency and musculoskeletal clinics. It affects individuals worldwide and is characterised by an excessive range of joint motion. It may also be associated with various musculoskeletal challenges. Although not all people with GJH are symptomatic, those who are may experience significant impacts on their quality of life. One of the reasons for this is the lack of consensus on optimal management strategies. This thesis attempts to form the initial steps in bridging this gap by identifying and prioritising the top 10 global research questions concerning musculoskeletal health in individuals with GJH.
First, it provides an overview of GJH and its impact on musculoskeletal health. A traditional narrative review summarises the existing literature to identify the research gaps. The findings from this literature review emphasise the need for further high-quality research. The lack of high-quality research is one of the reasons for inconsistency in the results of available studies. Additionally, the future research should be aligned with the needs of relevant stakeholders, such as individuals with lived experiences of GJH, health professionals and researchers. The findings underscore the value of the Delphi technique in prioritising research questions, and it allows the collection of international views from diverse backgrounds about musculoskeletal research questions in people with GJH.
Then, it presents the results of the Delphi study, including the top 10 priority musculoskeletal research questions from relevant stakeholders, such as individuals with lived experiences of GJH, health professionals, and researchers. The results highlighted the importance of addressing prevention, pain, and fatigue and conducting studies across the lifespan. Also, the findings revealed the necessity of establishing clinical practice guidelines for people with GJH.
In conclusion, this thesis contributes valuable insights into the field of GJH by identifying research priorities. The findings underscore the importance of a patient-centred approach and international input into addressing the complex challenges associated with managing GJH-related musculoskeletal disorders. Notably, setting research priorities allows for establishing a global research agenda about musculoskeletal health in people with GJH, guiding future studies to enhance patient needs and care.