Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders, Functional Constipation and Voiding Dysfunction in School-Aged Children: Are They Related to Each Other?

Patients suffering from hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSDs) present with problems related to the musculoskeletal system and have generalized joint hypermobility without a diagnosed systemic rheumatological disease. HSDs represent an underlying risk factor for many clinical conditions, such as dysfunctional voiding disorders and functional constipation (FC). In this study, we investigated ways to detect the frequency of HSDs, voiding dysfunction (VD), and FC in school-aged children and assessed their relationship with each other. In this cross-sectional study, 947 school-aged children (6–15 years old) were included. A pediatric rheumatologist examined all children using the Beighton Hypermobility Score to diagnose hypermobility. FC was diagnosed by a pediatric gastroenterologist. The dysfunctional voiding and incontinence symptoms score questionnaire was used by a pediatric nephrologist to diagnose VD. VD was more frequently observed in the younger age group, those whose mothers had lower education levels, children from lower-income families, and those with a history of urinary tract infection (p