Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and hypermobility
Why a page on Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and hypermobility?
The RQMO deals with all rare diseases. However, since the inception of our iRARE Centre, the disease for which we have been contacted the most is Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (or a related hereditary connective tissue disorder). Joint hypermobility disorders and one type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hypermobile type EDS) are now recognized to be more common in the population than previously believed.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is not well known, underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. It therefore often happens that affected people self-diagnose via the web or by obtaining information from other people or patient associations. Or, a doctor or other health care professional suspects Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (or another connective tissue disease), but the diagnosis is not confirmed.
If you believe you have EDS, first consult the document below “Diagnosis and management: resources in Quebec” and if you have problems obtaining a diagnosis or finding resources in the health system to treat you , contact us.
If you reside outside of Quebec, contact the EDS Canada Foundation.
—– New in Quebec (as of March 2024), a medical geneticist who knows EDS well —–
Dr Shuaa Basalom, Brunswick Medical Centre, Pointe-Claire, Qc (West Island of Montreal). Speaks English and some French. You do not have to pay. The doctor is paid by the Quebec health insurance plan (RAMQ). To obtain an appointment, you must have a referral from a doctor sent to this fax number : 514-459-3430 (Do not use the fax number indicated on the website)
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These documents can guide you and your doctors:
- Diagnosis and management of EDS: resources in Quebec
- Being the most frequent of the 13 types of EDS syndromes, we present here the diagnostic criteria for EDS hypermobile type (hEDS)
- Criteria for EDS vascular type (which can have serious consequences)
- If your symptoms are not consistent with hEDS or another type of EDS, you may have what is called a “hypermobility spectrum disorder” (HDS). See these documents on HSD:
- Ehlers-Danlos Society (English)
- In French (from the UNSED association)
Genetic tests for EDS: usually, the medical geneticists are the ones who will judge if genetic testing should be done for suspected EDS or other hereditary connective tissue disorders. Note that there is no genetic test yet for the most common type, hypermobile type EDS. If you are considering paying out-of-pocket for genetic testing for EDS, contact us. A genetic counselor can guide you on this. Laboratories that advertise on the internet and do not require a doctor’s prescription are not official genetic diagnostic laboratories. Contact us so that the genetic counselor can guide you and help you pay less than in a private clinic.
Joint hypermobility: what is it and is it serious?
Watch this video
- To exchange with other people in Quebec: private Facebook page. Email: constellation.info@gmail.com.
Documents and resources
- Joint hypermobility (CHEO document, Ottawa; definition and advice)
- Hypermobility assessment (Beighton score)
- Articles from the International EDS Consortium (new 2017 criteria):
- Presentations by three doctors from GERSED (Groupe d’étude et de recherche sur le syndrome d’Ehlers-Danlos) invited by the RQMO to Quebec in 2022:
- GERSED “SEDenligne” training videos
- EDS Society (international association): numerous documents and recorded conferences
- EDS Society lectures (translated into French) presented by experts on a variety of EDS-related topics
- SED’in France (Patients’ association)
- Recorded lectures from theEDS Canada Foundation (Canada)
- EDS Awareness webinars
- Free electronic book (ebook) to download: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A Multidisciplinary Approach
- Movement therapy to help with your hypermobility (Jeannie Di Bon)
- Disjointed. Diagnosis and Management of Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders, book, by various EDS experts.
- Transforming Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. A Global Vision of the Disease,book, Dr Stéphane Daens
- Ehlers-Danlos, La maladie oubliée par la médecine, book, Professor Claude Hamonet
- RQMO webinars on Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (2020):
For doctors and healthcare professionals: follow the EDS Society’s “ECHO” training courses to learn more about EDS and better help your patients.
Joint hypermobility means that a person’s joints have a greater range of motion than expected or normal. It can cause subluxations or dislocations of various joints, as well as chronic pain.
For the diagnosis of EDS, this hypermobility is measured by the “Beighton score”. Note to health professionals, you need to know how to measure it and you need to take into account the age and sex of the individual and ask them about hypermobility in their past (e.g. childhood or young adulthood). See 2017 criteria and how to measure Beighton score. Many clinicians also check other joints than those suggested by the Beighton score. Check out:
Research project on Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) - Recruitment planned for fall 2024
For anyone who thinks they may be affected or have a diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos or a hypermobility spectrum disorder and who lives in the province of Quebec.
The RQMO is collaborating with McGill University and the company Medeloop to carry out a large study on Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) in Quebec to better characterize their clinical and genetic aspects. This study will include all types of EDS and hypermobility spectrum disorders. People who do not yet have an official diagnosis of EDS will also be able to participate.
To find out your interest in this research project, please complete the following short survey: Ehlers-Danlos Survey (surveymonkey.com)
Contact us to send us your contact details if you are interested in receiving information on this study (by writing to info@rqmo.org).
EDS Research
- Ongoing studies and clinical trials: ClinicalTrials.gov
- Consult Orphanetfor research projects and clinical trials on EDS.
- Projects funded by GERSED (2023)
- EDS Society – Research
- Global Registry (patient registry) of the International Consortium on EDS
- Scientific articles published on the SED
- Research projects initiated by the RQMO:
- Survey on theneeds and priorities of people affected by EDS and parents of affected children (in collaboration with EDS Canada Foundation).
- Resarch done in Quebec to identify the genetic causes of EDS hypermobile type. In collaboration with researchers at Université de Montréal and clinicians from the CHUM and MUHC. Funded by the Fondation Pierre Lavoie. Conclusion: no significant variants found.
Our steps for the recognition of EDS in Quebec
The RQMO has made several representations to various Ministers of Health to plead for recognition of the particular difficulties experienced by people with EDS and their families (lack of diagnosis and care). We have also provided statistics which demonstrate that hypermobile type EDS and hypermobility spectrum disorders are more common than estimated and therefore warrant special attention.
A petition concerning EDS was published on the website of the Quebec National Assembly. The filing of this petition by the MNA, Mr André Fortin, was made on May 23, 2023.
Watch the video (Facebook)
Response to the petition from the Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Christian Dubé.
