Diagnosed prevalence of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorder in Wales, UK .. (1 in 500): a national electronic cohort study and case–control comparison

Authors

BMJ Journals
  • Joanne C Demmler1,                                    
  • Mark D Atkinson1
  • Emma J Reinhold2
  • Ernest Choy3
  • Ronan A Lyons1
  • Sinead T Brophy1
  • Author affiliations

  1. Swansea University Medical SchoolSwansea UniversitySwansea, UK
  2. Royal College of General PractitionersLondon, UK
  3. School of MedicineCardiff UniversityCardiff, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Joanne C Demmler; j.demmler@swansea.ac.uk; Dr Emma J Reinhold; e.reinhold@doctors.org.uk

Link to the original and complete article

Abstract

Objectives To describe the epidemiology of diagnosed hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) and Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) using linked electronic medical records. To examine whether these conditions remain rare and primarily affect the musculoskeletal system.

Design Nationwide linked electronic cohort and nested case–control study.

Setting Routinely collected data from primary care and hospital admissions in Wales, UK.

Participants People within the primary care or hospital data systems with a coded diagnosis of EDS or joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) between 1 July 1990 and 30 June 2017.

Main outcome measures Combined prevalence of JHS and EDS in Wales. Additional diagnosis and prescription data in those diagnosed with EDS or JHS compared with matched controls.

Results We found 6021 individuals (men: 30%, women: 70%) with a diagnostic code of either EDS or JHS. This gives a diagnosed point prevalence of 194.2 per 100 000 in 2016/2017 or roughly 10 cases in a practice of 5000 patients. There was a pronounced gender difference of 8.5 years (95% CI: 7.70 to 9.22) in the mean age at diagnosis. EDS or JHS was not only associated with high odds for other musculoskeletal diagnoses and drug prescriptions but also with significantly higher odds of a diagnosis in other disease categories (eg, mental health, nervous and digestive systems) and higher odds of a prescription in most disease categories (eg, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs) within the 12 months before and after the first recorded diagnosis.

Conclusions EDS and JHS (since March 2017 classified as EDS or HSD) have historically been considered rare diseases only affecting the musculoskeletal system and soft tissues. These data demonstrate that both these assertions should be reconsidered.

1 thought on “Diagnosed prevalence of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorder in Wales, UK .. (1 in 500): a national electronic cohort study and case–control comparison”

  1. A J Dunnell says:

    I read your report with interest. I was diagnosed with EDS after 50 yrs of being overlooked by GPs. 2yrs after diagnosis I am still invisible to them. When I recently asked to see an EDS consultant, I was told that my Health Board could not refer me across the border to England. I live in Wales. It was suggested that I go private. It’s been a lonely, frustrating, hopeless journey.
    Thank you for your study into EDS. With your help, maybe people like me won’t remain invisible in the future.

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