Screening for Celiac Disease in the Joint Hypermobility Syndrome/Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Hypermobility Type (PDF Download Available)

clatterbane:

I was reminded by seeing that post from yet another person with both EDS and probable celiac, and yeah.

In particular, unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms, including recurrent
abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, reflux, vomiting, constipation,
and diarrhea, are found in 35–86% of JHS/EDS-HT patients
[Hakim and Grahame, 2004; Castori et al., 2010; Zarate et al.,
2010]…

These findings indicate that, in Italy, CD is 10–20 times more
common in JHS/EDS-HT compared to the general population. The
reason as to why an autoimmune disorder like CD is more common
in patients affected by a genetic condition apparently etiologically
unlinked to the immune system remains unknown…

JHS/EDS-HT is
thought to be caused by mutations in gene(s) coding for components of the connective tissue. Recently, increased Ab titers against
collagens I, III, V, and VI was demonstrated in CD [Dieterich et al.,
2006]. This evidence prompted the authors to speculate for an
increased risk for autoimmune connective tissue disorders among
patients previously diagnosed with CD. In fact, the cross-linking between gliadin peptides and interstitial collagen(s) may facilitate
anti-collagen Ab formation and consequent chronic inflammation
of the connective tissue. On the contrary, a constitutionally abnormal collagen (as expected in JHS/EDS-HT) might uncover an
autoimmune reaction mediated by anti-collagen Ab, which, by
virtue of the gliadin–collagen cross-linking, could facilitate the
onset of CD in genetically predisposed subjects…

This relative high rate of CD in JHS/EDS-HT
might contribute in explaining and, possibly, treating some disabling features, such as chronic constipation, chronic fatigue
(including the chronic fatigue syndrome), and osteopenia/porosis,
which are frequently encountered in JHS/EDS-HT. Further studies
in larger samples with different geographic origins are expected in
order to substantiate this evidence and translate it into the clinical
practice.

Reminded of this again, since almost every health problem I’ve run into seems to be associated with EDS.

(Ones that weren’t directly iatrogenic, at least. Been a couple of those.)

Screening for Celiac Disease in the Joint Hypermobility Syndrome/Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Hypermobility Type (PDF Download Available)