Aims

We wish to investigate the relationship between JH and chronic musculoskeletal pain and other aspects of musculoskeletal health in ALSPAC as follows:-

1. Relationship between JH and chronic musculoskeletal pain in adolescence.

* Prospective analyses will investigate whether JH, as defined by Beighton score greater than 6 at age 13, is associated with an increased risk of chronic musculoskeletal pain at age 17, as assessed by questionnaire.

* Factors which influence any association between JH and chronic musculoskeletal pain will be explored, such as lower socio-economic status and clumsiness. We would also look at parental JH and chronic pain patterns.

2. Health and social impacts of JH.

* Prospective studies will investigate whether JH at age 13 is associated with adverse health impacts associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain at age 17, as assessed by questionnaire.

* Cross sectional and prospective studies will examine associations between JH at age 13, and physical activity as assessed by accelerometry at age 13 and 15.

3. Relationship between JH and other aspects of musculoskeletal health.

Cross sectional and prospective analyses will determine whether JH at age 13 is related to bone mass as measured by DXA (age 13 and 15) and pQCT (age 15), or to scoliosis (ages 13 and 15).