Lindsey Shapiro, PhD, science writer —

A 23-year-old man in Greece was diagnosed with vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) about two years after his symptoms of recurrent bowel ruptures had started, according to a recent case report. While gastrointestinal involvement as the first sign of EDS has been reported, the rarity of the disease and its…

Stress in a cell compartment called the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) may cause irregularities in collagen fibrils that underlie the serious blood vessel-related symptoms of vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS), according to a recent study. Patients who had more irregular collagen fibrils — major structural units of cells — tended to…

A nine-week multidisciplinary rehabilitation program was associated with improved exercise capacity, reduced fatigue, better balance, and greater life quality for people with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) in a small study. Many of these benefits — and new ones — were evident six weeks and six months after the rehab…

Chronic pain was prevalent among people with classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (cEDS), strongly affecting life quality and emotional health, according to a recent study. cEDS patients also exhibited abnormal sensory perceptions and heightened pain responses compared with healthy people. The authors, who touted the study as the first to systematically…

A pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), used for identifying genetic abnormalities in embryos during in vitro fertilization (IVF), may help women with vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) who want children, a recent case report shows. A woman with vEDS successfully used PGD to have two biological children via surrogacy. Neither were…

Two cases of vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) were diagnosed during the treatment of severe eye-related problems and later found to be vEDS-associated complications, according to a recent report from Romania. While these complications were considered life-threatening for the young adults, prompt identification of their underlying cause enabled both patients…

Treatment of kidney stones can be safely done in people with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) so long as certain modifications are made, a new case report from Japan highlights. A woman in her 30s with EDS, experiencing abdominal pain, was successfully treated after clinicians took into account her physical status —…

A two-week virtual mindfulness program led to quality of life improvements for people with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD), according to a recent pilot study. Patients reported benefits of the exercise included increased bodily awareness and reduced pain intensity, but participants noted a need for…

Using genetic testing, researchers in Japan identified 16 new COL3A1 gene mutations associated with vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS), according to a recent case series. A range of different types of mutations was identified — each associated with a different level of disease severity and symptoms, or clinical presentation. “This is…

Most families affected by Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) feel their medical care needs are not being met, according to a survey of patients and caregivers in the midwestern U.S. Survey respondents believe they or their child would benefit from an integrated and multidisciplinary team, with an ideal approach including pain…