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. 2024 May 13;19(1):194.
doi: 10.1186/s13023-024-03121-0.

Diagnosis and treatment of the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes in China: synopsis of the first guidelines

Kexin Xu #  1   2   3   4 , Guozhuang Li #  1   2   3   4 , Zhihong Wu  2   3   5   4 , Terry Jianguo Zhang  6   7   8   9 , Nan Wu  10   11   12   13 ; Chinese Multi-Disciplinary Working Group on the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes
Affiliations

Diagnosis and treatment of the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes in China: synopsis of the first guidelines

Kexin Xu et al. Orphanet J Rare Dis. .

Abstract

Background: The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of rare hereditary connective tissue disorders. EDS is clinically and genetically heterogeneous and usually involves multiple systems. There are 14 subtypes of EDS with hallmark features including joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, and tissue fragility. The clinical manifestations and their severity differ among the subtypes, encompassing recurrent joint dislocations, scoliosis, arterial aneurysm and dissection, and organ rupture. Challenges in diagnosis and management arise from the complexity of the disease, which is further complicated by its rarity. The development of clinical guidelines and implementation of coordinated multi-disciplinary team (MDT) approaches have emerged as global priorities.

Main body: Chinese Multi-Disciplinary Working Group on the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes was therefore established. Healthcare professionals were recruited from 25 top hospitals across China. The experts are specialized in 24 fields, including genetics, vascular surgery, dermatology, and orthopedics, as well as nursing care, rehabilitation, psychology, and nutrition. Based on GRADE methodology, the Guidelines were written by the Group supervised by methodologists, following a systemic review of all 4453 articles in PubMed published before August 9, 2023, using the search term "Ehlers Danlos". A coordinated MDT approach for the diagnosis and management of EDS is highly recommended by the Group, along with 29 specific recommendations addressing key clinical questions. In addition to the treatment plan, the Guidelines also emphasize integrating support from nursing care, rehabilitation, psychology, and nutrition. This integration not only facilitates recovery in hospital settings, but most importantly, the transition from an illness-defined life to a more "normalized" life.

Conclusion: The first guidelines on EDS will shorten the diagnostic odyssey and solve the unmet medical needs of the patients. This article is a synopsis of the full guidelines.

Keywords: Clinical guidelines; Diagnosis and treatment; Ehlers-Danlos syndromes; Multi-disciplinary team approach.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and management of the Ehlers⁃Danlos syndromes (Translated from the Guidelines) [23]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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