Are hEDS and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) the same condition?

    Last Updated: October 13, 2024

    No. Although the two conditions require similar treatment, there are important differences in the diagnostic criteria.[1] Whereas both conditions involve symptomatic hypermobility, additional criteria need to be met to qualify for an hEDS diagnosis. Physical features such as hyperextensible skin, an arm span-to-height ratio of ≥1.05, and atrophic scarring are considered, as well as family history of hEDS. These unique features facilitate research into the genetic basis of hEDS.[2][3]

    Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS)Hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD)
    Diagnostic criteriaMust have the following three characteristics: 1) overall joint hypermobility; 2) at least 5 systemic symptoms (e.g. velvet skin, atrophic scars, overly elastic skin); 3) phenotype does not fit an alternative diagnosisA joint or a group of joints can move beyond physiologic limits. Other etiologies for joint hypermobility are excluded
    PrognosisChronic symptoms that may worsen over time (joint pain, fatigue, headaches, injury)Chronic symptoms and manifestations that may worsen over time (joint pain, fatigue, injury, headaches)
    TreatmentSymptom management (pain relief) and preventing injurySymptom management and preventing injury

    References

    1. ^What is HSD?
    2. ^Malfait F, Francomano C, Byers P, Belmont J, Berglund B, Black J, Bloom L, Bowen JM, Brady AF, Burrows NP, Castori M, Cohen H, Colombi M, Demirdas S, De Backer J, De Paepe A, Fournel-Gigleux S, Frank M, Ghali N, Giunta C, Grahame R, Hakim A, Jeunemaitre X, Johnson D, Juul-Kristensen B, Kapferer-Seebacher I, Kazkaz H, Kosho T, Lavallee ME, Levy H, Mendoza-Londono R, Pepin M, Pope FM, Reinstein E, Robert L, Rohrbach M, Sanders L, Sobey GJ, Van Damme T, Vandersteen A, van Mourik C, Voermans N, Wheeldon N, Zschocke J, Tinkle BThe 2017 international classification of the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes.Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet.(2017-03)
    3. ^National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Board on Health Care Services; Committee on Selected Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue and Disability, Roberta A. Wedge, Tom Cartaxo, Carol Mason Spicer, Paul A. VolberdingSelected Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue and Disability