New principles of diagnosis and classification of the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a heterogeneous group of monogenic diseases caused by a violation of collagen metabolism, the structure and function of myomatrix and the synthesis of proteoglycans. This pathology is characteri zed by hyperelasticity of the skin, subcutaneous globules, overextension of the joints, tissue vulnerability and hemorrhagic syndrome. EDS is one of the seven hereditary connective tissue disorders for which international diagnostic criteria are met. More than 30 years ago, the so-called Berlin nosology of hereditary connective tissue disorders was first compiled and approved (1986). For a long time, doctors used the “Villefranche Nosology” classification of EDS, adopted in 1998 and divided the disease into 6 types. The new criteria were published by the International Committee of Experts in 2017. In the clinical classification of EDS, 13 types with different inheritance, clinical features and biochemical defects are described. In most cases, it is inherited by an autosomal dominant type. True prevalence is unknown due to the complexity of verification and a large number of light forms, the frequency of diagnosed cases is 1 : 5000 births, severe forms are rare (1 : 100 000). Diagnosis of this syndromeis also based on the diagnostic criteria of the international classification. The lecture presents new data on classification diagnostic criteria of EDS, polymorphism of the clinical picture, genetic heterogeneity, the main principles of treatment of the disease. The new classification criteria take into account, in the main, the features of the clinical picture, they did not simplify the diagnosis, but they increased the specificity and increased the significance of the clinical and anamnestic features. The scope of the examination is determined by the presence of leading clinical signs. The genealogical examination and molecular genetic methods of diagnostics are of great importance.