Obstructive Sleep Apnoea in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Overview

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of inherited connective tissue disorders characterized by joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, and tissue fragility. EDS features such as genetically related cartilage defects, craniofacial abnormalities and increased pharyngeal collapsibility have been proposed to cause obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). There is evidence from studies based on questionnaires that EDS patients might be more frequently affected by OSA and sleep disturbances than the general population. However, the actual prevalence of OSA in patients with EDS is unknown. Aortic root dilation and dissection are common complications of EDS and little is known about the underlying risk factors. Preliminary evidence suggests a link with OSA but this has not yet been investigated. The primary objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of OSA in EDS-patients (100) compared to a matched control group (100). The secondary objective of this pioneer study is to assess whether there is a relationship between OSA severity and aortic diame-ter/craniofacial abnormalities in EDS patients.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of inherited connective tissue disorders characterized by joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, and tissue fragility. EDS features such as genetically related cartilage defects, craniofacial abnormalities and increased pharyngeal collapsibility have been proposed to cause obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). There is evidence from studies based on questionnaires that EDS patients might be more frequently affected by OSA and sleep disturbances than the general population. However, the actual prevalence of OSA in patients with EDS is unclear. Aortic dilation and dissection are complications associated with EDS and little is known about the underlying risk factors. Preliminary evidence suggests a link with OSA but this has not yet been investigated. The primary objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of OSA in EDS-patients compared to a matched control group. The secondary objective of the study is to assess whether there is a relationship between OSA severity and craniofacial phenotypes / aortic diameter in EDS patients.