Bone density in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is the most common inherited disorder of connective tissue recognized. The objectives of the present study were to determine bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical markers of bone metabolism in EDS. Twenty-three subjects with Type III EDS and 23 matched controls underwent BMD measurement by dual-Energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Health history questionnaires and biochemical markers of bone and connective tissue metabolism were also assessed. No significant differences in BMD at the lumbar spine or differences in biochemical markers of bone and connective tissue metabolism were found between EDS subjects and controls. EDS subjects had a significantly decreased BMD at the femoral neck compared with controls, but this difference disappeared after adjustment for body height, weight and physical activity levels.