CIDR-NIA Whole Exome Analysis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a family of hereditary disorders of connective tissue characterized by joint hypermobility and skin involvement with soft, translucent, stretchy skin, and atrophic scarring. To date, over 12 different types of EDS are known, and the genes causing almost all of them have been found. However, the gene(s) underlying the most common of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, known as the hypermobile type, remain elusive. The hypermobile type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is associated with multiple co-morbidities, including dysautonomia, chronic musculoskeletal pain, gastrointestinal dysmotility, mast cell activation and multiple neurologic complications. Affected persons often suffer from chronic fatigue and may be chronically disabled. While the precise frequency of the condition is not known, it may be as common as between 1/500 and 1/1000 persons. There is a significant overlap with the phenotype of fibromyalgia, and multiple persons... (for more see dbGaP study page.)