The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes are a group of heritable connective tissue disorders. Each type is caused by pathogenic genetic variants that prevent connective tissue from functioning properly. Twelve types of EDS have known genetic causes, and some types are associated with multiple different genes. The genetic cause(s) of hEDS have not been identified.

The genetic causes of hEDS have not been identified, but hEDS appears to follow a dominant inheritance pattern. There are several research studies around the world currently working to identify the genetic cause(s) of hEDS, including the Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Genetic Evaluation (HEDGE) Study. Researchers are also studying other factors that can contribute to the development of hEDS.

It is suspected that there are multiple genetic variants that cause hEDS. Several genetic variants have been associated with hEDS, but these variants represent a very small number of cases of hEDS, with some only being reported in one family. Genetic testing is not available for hEDS because the genetic cause of most cases is unknown. Instead, the diagnosis of hEDS is given to those who meet the clinical diagnostic criteria for hEDS.

The cause(s) of HSD have not been identified. Currently, we do not know if HSD is a genetic disorder. We do know that joint hypermobility tends to run in families, but not everyone with joint hypermobility has a type of HSD. More research is needed to better understand the cause(s) of HSD.

Genetic testing is used to identify differences in DNA. The results can be used to confirm or rule out specific genetic disorders. If a doctor suspects a person has a certain genetic disorder, they will test the gene(s) associated with that condition. The test can tell them if the person has the genetic variant(s) associated with that condition.

When genetic testing is ordered, a genetic sample (usually blood or saliva) is collected and sent to a lab. The lab will perform tests and report back information about a person’s genetic variants and whether they are known to be associated with any disease.

Genetic testing is available for every type of EDS except for hEDS. If a person meets the clinical diagnostic criteria for a type of EDS other than hEDS, genetic testing should be done to confirm the diagnosis. Because the genetic cause(s) of hEDS have not yet been identified, there is no genetic test for hEDS. hEDS is diagnosed when a person meets the clinical diagnostic criteria.

Because hEDS is the most common type, accounting for more than 90% of all cases of EDS, most people with EDS will not need genetic testing for diagnosis. It is not necessary for a person with hEDS or HSD to have genetic testing unless there is reason to suspect that they may have a genetic disorder for which testing is available.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is the most common approach for diagnosing most types of EDS. NGS can be used to identify what genetic variants a person has of specific gene(s) of interest. Targeted sequencing can be used to look at a single gene or a group of genes, known as a gene panel. Some labs offer an “Ehlers-Danlos syndrome panel” or “connective tissue disorder panel” that includes many of the genes known to cause types of EDS and other heritable connective tissue disorders. Doctors can also request testing of specific genes based on the signs and symptoms a person has.

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) can be used to look at all of a person’s DNA. Whole exome sequencing (WES) can be used to look at all the DNA expressed in the body. These tests are typically used for research, such as identifying new pathogenic genetic variants. Single gene tests and gene panels provide a much more targeted approach when looking for specific genetic variants in genes of interest.

If no pathogenic variants are identified through sequencing, a copy number variant (CNV) detection strategy can be used to identify large duplications and deletions. If genetic testing is not available, other techniques can be used to detect differences in proteins that are seen in certain types of EDS. You can read more about testing for each type of EDS here.

Direct-to-consumer genetic testing services (such as 23andMe and Ancestry.com) are not helpful for diagnosing any type of EDS or HSD. These products test a relatively small number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). SNPs are not the same thing as pathogenic genetic variants. Direct-to-consumer genetic testing cannot take the place of clinical genetic testing and cannot be used to support a diagnosis. In order to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate care, all genetic testing should be ordered and interpreted by a medical professional.

Genetic variants are classified based on their potential to cause harm. The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics classifies genetic variants into five categories:

• Pathogenic (harmful)
• Likely pathogenic (likely harmful)
• Variant of uncertain significance
• Likely benign (likely harmless)
• Benign (harmless)

Pathogenic variants are known to be associated with disease. Benign variants are not associated with any risk of disease. Variants of uncertain (or unknown) significance (VUS) are variants that we do not fully understand yet. VUS are not known to be associated with any disease but have not been proven to be benign.

As we learn more about a VUS, it may be reclassified into a different risk category. A VUS may be reclassified as benign if research shows that the variant does not impact protein function or if the variant is found in many healthy people. Less commonly, a VUS may also be reclassified as pathogenic if it is found to impact protein function in a way that can cause disease.

Each type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is caused by specific pathogenic variants. Variants of uncertain significance are not known to cause any type of EDS. If a VUS is found in a gene that is associated with a type of EDS but the person does not meet the diagnostic criteria for that type, then there is no reason to suspect that they have this condition. Genetic variation is normal and expected. In the absence of corresponding symptoms, a VUS does not impact diagnosis. If a person meets the diagnostic criteria for a type of EDS and has a VUS in a gene that is associated with that condition, a doctor may recommend additional testing to better understand the VUS.

Sometimes a “provisional clinical diagnosis” is made when a person meets the clinical diagnostic criteria for a type of EDS but does not have positive genetic testing results. This may happen when genetic testing is unavailable or when genetic testing does not identify pathogenic variants. In these cases, the person’s symptoms should be clearly distinguishable from other conditions, including other types of EDS. Some symptoms are common across most types of EDS, such as joint hypermobility, pain, and fatigue. A provisional clinical diagnosis should only be made when there is no other explanation for that person’s symptoms.

The genetic cause of hEDS is unknown, so there is no genetic test for hEDS. hEDS is diagnosed when a person meets the clinical diagnostic criteria for hEDS.

It is possible for someone to be the first person in their family with a specific genetic variant. Sometimes genetic disorders are the result of de novo mutations. De novo mutations are changes to the DNA that occur spontaneously due to errors in a germ cell (egg or sperm) of one of the parents. De novo mutations may lead to a person having a genetic variant that neither of their parents had. Once a genetic variant has been introduced through a de novo mutation, a person may pass this variant on to their children.

While it is technically possible for a person to have more than one type of EDS, it is statistically extremely unlikely for this to happen. If a person has two pathogenic variants that are associated with different types of EDS, they may indeed have two types of EDS. However, only a very small number of these cases have ever been reported.

According to the current diagnostic criteria, a person cannot be diagnosed with both hEDS and another type of EDS. The diagnostic criteria require that other types of EDS be ruled out for a person to be diagnosed with hEDS. This means you cannot meet the diagnostic criteria for hEDS if you have another type of EDS. If a person has positive genetic testing results for a type of EDS, they would be diagnosed with that type of EDS, not hEDS.

It is possible to have symptoms of a type of EDS without actually having that type. Each type of EDS has a unique set of symptoms and features. Some features are found in multiple types of EDS, as well as in people without any type of EDS. The diagnostic criteria describe the combination of features that are associated with each type of EDS. If a person meets the diagnostic criteria for a type of EDS other than hEDS, they should have genetic testing to confirm or rule out the diagnosis.

Yes. It is possible for people with EDS to pass the condition on to their children. The chances of inheriting a genetic disorder depend on the inheritance pattern and how many copies of the pathogenic variant each parent has. If a condition follows a dominant inheritance pattern, each child of an affected parent has a 50% chance of inheriting the condition. If a condition follows a recessive inheritance pattern, a child must inherit the pathogenic genetic variant from both parents to inherit the condition.

Yes. If a child inherits EDS from their parent, they will have the same type of EDS as their parent. Each type of EDS is caused by different genetic variants. When people with a type of EDS have children, they may pass the genetic variant responsible for their EDS to their children. The children would inherit the same genetic variant as their parent, so they would have the same type of EDS as them. The chances of inheriting a type of EDS depend on the inheritance pattern for that type.

Not necessarily. The symptoms of EDS are diverse and vary both between and within each type. Even within the same family, two people with the same type of EDS may have very different symptoms and may be affected by each symptom to varying degrees.

Yes. It is possible for a person to have a type of EDS that neither of their parents had. There are two ways this can happen.

1. If a condition has a recessive inheritance pattern, people with one copy of the pathogenic genetic variant are carriers of the condition. Carriers do not have the condition but can pass the pathogenic genetic variant on to their children. If both parents are carriers of a condition, their child may inherit two copies of the pathogenic variant and be affected by the condition.
2. It is also possible to be the first person in your family with a specific genetic variant. Sometimes genetic disorders are the result of de novo mutations. De novo mutations may alter the DNA in ways that lead to a person having a genetic variant that neither of their parents had.