Variant connective tissue (joint hypermobility) and its relevance to depression and anxiety in adolescents: a cohort-based case-control study

Eccles, Jessica A., Quadt, Lisa, McCarthy, Hannah E., Davies, Kevin A., Bond, Rod, David, Anthony S., Harrison, Neil A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9584-3769 and Critchley, Hugo D. 2022. Variant connective tissue (joint hypermobility) and its relevance to depression and anxiety in adolescents: a cohort-based case-control study. BMJ open 12 (12) , e066130. 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066130

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Abstract

Objective To test whether variant connective tissue structure, as indicated by the presence of joint hypermobility, poses a developmental risk for mood disorders in adolescence. Design Cohort-based case–control study. Setting Data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) were interrogated. Participants 6105 children of the ALSPAC cohort at age 14 years old, of whom 3803 also were assessed when aged 18 years. Main outcome measures In a risk analysis, we examined the relationship between generalised joint hypermobility (GJH) at age 14 years with psychiatric symptoms at age 18 years. In an association analysis, we examined the relationship between presence of symptomatic joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) and International Classification of Diseases-10 indication of depression and anxiety (Clinical Interview Schedule Revised (CIS-R), Anxiety Sensitivity Index) at age 18 years. Results GJH was more common in females (n=856, 28%) compared with males (n=319, 11%; OR: 3.20 (95% CI: 2.78 to 3.68); p<0.001). In males, GJH at age 14 years was associated with depression at 18 years (OR: 2.10 (95% CI: 1.17 to 3.76); p=0.013). An index of basal physiological arousal, elevated resting heart rate, mediated this effect. Across genders, the diagnosis of JHS at age 18 years was associated with the presence of depressive disorder (adjusted OR: 3.53 (95% CI: 1.67 to 7.40); p=0.001), anxiety disorder (adjusted OR: 3.14 (95% CI: 1.52 to 6.46); p=0.002), level of anxiety (B=8.08, t(3278)=3.95; p<0.001) and degree of psychiatric symptomatology (B=5.89, t(3442)=5.50; p<0.001). Conclusions Variant collagen, indexed by joint hypermobility, is linked to the emergence of depression and anxiety in adolescence, an effect mediated by autonomic factors in males. Recognition of this association may motivate further evaluation, screening and interventions to mitigate development of psychiatric disorders and improve health outcomes.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Psychology Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC)
ISSN:	2044-6055
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	28 November 2022
Date of Acceptance:	26 November 2022
Last Modified:	11 Jan 2024 16:09
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/154503

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