General joint hypermobility (GJH) was more common in Caucasians than African-Americans, a recent study found. Although there were no associations between hypermobility and radiographic osteoarthritis (rOA), the association between hypermobility and lower back symptoms may differ by race. Data were from the Johnston County OA project, collected from 2003 to 2010. GJH was defined as Beighton score ≥4. OA symptoms were defined as the presence of pain, aching, or stiffness on most days separately at the knee, hip, and lower back. rOA of the knee or hip was defined as Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2–4. Lumbar spine rOA was disc space narrowing grade ≥1 and osteophyte grade ≥2 in ≥ 1 at the same lumbar level. Researchers found:

• Of 1,987 participants, one-third were African-American and two-thirds were women (mean age 65 years, mean BMI 31 kg/m²).
• Nearly 8% of Caucasians were hypermobile vs 5% of African-Americans.
• Hypermobility was associated with lower back symptoms in Caucasians, but not in African-Americans.
• Associations between hypermobility and other knee, hip, or lumbar spine/facet OA variables were not statistically significant.