Characterizing adolescents with heavy menstrual bleeding and generalized joint hypermobility

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2019 Jun;66(6):e27675. doi: 10.1002/pbc.27675. Epub 2019 Feb 25.

Abstract

Patients with generalized joint hypermobility (JHM) may experience excessive bruising/bleeding, with heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) commonly reported. We performed a retrospective review of 30 adolescents seen in a Young Women's Hematology Clinic with both HMB and JHM. We found that (1) a significant delay (mean 36 months, range 5-72) occurred between menarche and referral to specialty care, (2) HMB had moderate to severe impact on school and physical activities in 60% of patients, and (3) most patients (68%) required escalation of their initial therapy. We suggest providers consider JHM as a risk factor for a more complex clinical course.

Keywords: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; adolescent; bleeding disorders other than hemophilia; menorrhagia.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Joint Instability / drug therapy
  • Joint Instability / epidemiology
  • Joint Instability / physiopathology*
  • Menorrhagia / drug therapy
  • Menorrhagia / epidemiology
  • Menorrhagia / physiopathology*
  • Ohio / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Hormones