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Summary: Background: The Ehlers–Danlos syndromes (EDS) consist of 13 subtypes with overlapping features including joint hypermobility, skin and vascular fragility and generalized connective tissue friability. As DNA analysis has become the gold standard for investigation of EDS, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in clinical practice is decreasing. However, owing to the use of next‐generation sequencing, the frequency of variants of uncertain significance (VUS) identified using DNA analysis is increasing. We hypothesized that TEM can provide evidence for or against pathogenicity of VUS. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of TEM in the diagnosis of EDS subtypes. Methods: Data were collected from patients who underwent a skin biopsy between October 2012 and March 2017 at the London EDS National Diagnostic Service. TEM biopsies were categorized as 'normal' or 'abnormal' according to the description and conclusion in the TEM reports. Definitive diagnoses were reached via a combination of clinical features, structural and functional studies and DNA investigations. Results: The analysis included 177 patients, comprising 30 abnormal and 147 normal TEM reports. A definitive diagnosis of monogenic EDS subtypes was made in 24 patients. Overall, 17 of these 24 patients (71%) had an abnormal biopsy report and seven (29%) had a normal biopsy report. No TEM findings were specifically associated with any EDS subtype, although collagen flowers were present in most patients with a genetically confirmed diagnosis of classical EDS. Conclusions: TEM analysis of collagen structure may have the potential to provide evidence for or against the pathogenicity of a VUS, but more work is needed to establish a clear role for TEM in this process. What's already known about this topic? Collagen fibril abnormalities can be seen in several Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS) subtypes. What does this study add? This study provides clinical data, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) data and molecular data of one of the largest groups of patients suspected to have a monogenetic EDS subtype.No TEM findings were specifically associated with an EDS subtype.There was a higher percentage (71%) of abnormal biopsy findings in patients with a definitive diagnosis of a monogenetic EDS subtype and where a class 4/5 genetic variant was present. Linked Editorial:Steele and O'Toole. Br J Dermatol 2020; 182:521–522. Linked Comment:Hausser. Br J Dermatol 2020; 182:535–536. Respond to this article [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) are a heterogenous group of heritable connective tissue disorders, characterised by joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility and generalised tissue fragility. In all types of EDS skin wound healing is impaired to a variable degree. Additional support through wound management plans may help to improve these outcomes, however, there is paucity of evidence regarding clinical management of skin fragility and wounds in EDS. This paper aims to review current evidence and provide recommendations for management of skin wounds in EDS types. Preventative measures to avoid skin injury are strongly recommended, including avoidance of high impact sport and use of appropriate protection such as shin guards. Bruising is common and some types of EDS are associated with haematoma formation with management including compression bandages and consideration of pharmacological therapy. Skin fragility and tears should be managed with a focus on protection of remaining tissue, avoidance of wound tension and low adherence dressings to avoid further injury. This paper provides clear recommendations to address skin management for this group of patients. It highlights the lack of good quality published data to support treatment decisions., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of British Association of Dermatologists. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Aim: Periodontal Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (pEDS) is a monogenic type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome characterized by periodontal destruction at a young age. The present study aimed to document the oral phenotype of pEDS based on prospective clinical investigations., Materials and Methods: Thirty-five adult individuals from 13 families with a clinically and genetically confirmed diagnosis of pEDS underwent a systematic oral assessment., Results: Periodontitis stage 3 or 4 or edentulism due to periodontal destruction were diagnosed in 94% of the individuals. First permanent tooth loss was reported at the age of 21.5 years (median; range 13-43 years). Deep periodontal pockets were infrequent, with 94% measuring <4 mm. However, there was increased clinical attachment loss (CAL) averaging 8 mm (range 4-13 mm), and the probability of being edentate between the age of 35 and 44 years was 28-47% compared with less than 0.25% of the general population. Radiographic anomalous findings were only found in a portion of subjects and consisted of fused roots of maxillary second molars (81%), root hypoplasia (57%), taurodontism (26%) and tooth rotation of premolars (67%). As such, radiographic findings are not considered common characteristics of pEDS., Conclusions: Characteristic oral traits of pEDS in adults are severe CAL with shallow probing depths and marked gingival recession. This is complemented by a lack of attached gingiva. These indications need to be paralleled by genetic analyses to diagnose pEDS unambiguously., (© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Clinical Periodontology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: Pharmaceutical treatment options for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have increased to include multiple classes of oral glucose-lowering agents but without accompanying guidance on which of these may most benefit individual patients. Clinicians lack information for treatment intensification after first-line metformin therapy. Stratifying patients by simple clinical characteristics may improve care by targeting treatment options to those in whom they are most effective. This academically designed and run three-way crossover trial aims to test a stratification approach using three standard oral glucose-lowering agents., Methods and Analysis: TriMaster is a randomised, double-blind, crossover trial taking place at up to 25 clinical sites across England, Scotland and Wales. 520 patients with T2DM treated with either metformin alone, or metformin and a sulfonylurea who have glycated haemoglobin (HbA 1c ) >58 mmol/mol will be randomised to receive 16 weeks each of a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor and thiazolidinedione in random order. Participants will be assessed at the end of each treatment period, providing clinical and biochemical data, and their experience of side effects. Participant preference will be assessed on completion of all three treatments. The primary endpoint is HbA 1c after 4 months of therapy (allowing a range of 12-18 weeks for analysis). Secondary endpoints include participant-reported preference between the three treatments, tolerability and prevalence of side effects., Ethical Approval: This study was approved by National Health Service Health Research Authority Research Ethics Committee South Central-Oxford A, study 16/SC/0147. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Results will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal and presented at relevant scientific meetings. A lay summary of results will be made available to all participants., Trial Registration Numbers: 12039221; 2015-002790-38 and NCT02653209., Competing Interests: Competing interests: EP has received Honoraria from Lilly. NS has consulted for Amgen, Astrazeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli-Lilly, Napp, NovoNordisk, Sanofi and Pfizer and received grant funding from Boehringer Ingelheim. RRH reports research support from AstraZeneca, Bayer and Merck Sharp & Dohme, and personal fees from Bayer, Intarcia, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis and Novo Nordisk outside the submitted work. CJ has consulted for AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, NovoNordisk and Sanofi. WH has received grant funding from IQVIA and travel funds from Eisai., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.)

Background: The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of connective tissue disorders with several recognised types. Patients with a type of EDS have connective tissue abnormalities resulting in a varying degree of joint hypermobility, skin and vascular fragility and generalised tissue friability. Classical EDS (cEDS) typically occurs as a result of dominant pathogenic variants in COL5A1 or COL5A2 . The cardinal features of cEDS are hyperextensible skin, atrophic scarring and joint hypermobility. Arterial complications are more characteristically a feature of vascular EDS although individual cases of arterial events in cEDS have been reported., Methods: A cohort of 154 patients with a clinical diagnosis of cEDS from the UK was analysed., Results: Seven patients (4.5%) with a diagnosis of cEDS (four pathogenic, one likely pathogenic and two variants of uncertain significance in COL5A1 ) who had experienced arterial complications were identified. Arterial complications mostly involved medium-sized vessels and also two abdominal aortic aneurysms. No unique clinical features were identified in this group of patients., Conclusion: There is a possible increased risk of arterial complications in patients with cEDS, although not well-defined. Clinicians need to be aware of this possibility when presented with a patient with an arterial complication and features of cEDS. Long-term management in families with cEDS and a vascular complication should be individually tailored to the patient's history and their family's history of vascular events., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Purpose: Currently, 31 patients with classical-like EDS (clEDS) due to tenascin-X deficiency have been reported in the literature. We report on the clinical and molecular characteristics of 20 additional patients with clEDS to expand knowledge and to enable improved management of this rare genetic disorder., Methods: Patients diagnosed with clEDS by the national EDS service in the UK (n = 21) and abroad (n = 1) were asked for consent for publication of their clinical and molecular data., Results: Of 22 patients, 20 consented. All patients had typical features of clEDS: joint hypermobility, easy bruising, and skin hyperextensibility without atrophic scars. Importantly, 3/20 patients experienced gastrointestinal complications consisting of small or large bowel ruptures and one esophageal rupture. Other notable observations included two separate occurrences of spontaneous compartment syndrome, suspicion of nonaccidental injury due to significant bruising, and significant clinical variability regarding the debilitating effect of joint dislocations., Conclusions: We propose a predisposition to tissue fragility, particularly of the gastrointestinal tract in patients with clEDS. As such, clinical and molecular confirmation of this diagnosis is essential. It is recommended to follow up these patients closely to understand the natural history to develop better recommendations for management.

Arthrochalasia Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (aEDS) is a rare autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder that is characterized by congenital bilateral hip dislocations, severe generalized joint hypermobility, recurrent joint (sub)luxations, and skin hyperextensibility. To date, 42 patients with aEDS have been published. We report 12 patients with aEDS from 10 families with 6 unpublished individuals and follow-up data on 6 adult patients. The clinical features are largely comparable with patients reported in the literature. Most (n = 10) patients had variants leading to (partial) loss of exon 6 of the COL1A1 or COL1A2 genes. One patient did not have a previously reported likely pathogenic COL1A1 variant. Data regarding management were retrieved. Hip surgery was performed in 5/12 patients and 3/12 patients underwent spinal surgery. As much as 4/12 patients were wheelchair-bound or unable to walk unaided. Fractures were present in 9/12 individuals with 1 patient requiring bisphosphonate treatment. Echocardiograms were performed in 10 patients and 2 individuals showed an abnormality likely unrelated to aEDS. One patient gave birth to two affected children and went through preterm labor requiring medication but had no additional complications. Of the eight adults in our cohort, the majority entered a career. Our data point toward a genotype-phenotype relationship with individuals with aEDS due to pathogenic COL1A1 variants causing complete or partial loss of exon 6 being more severely affected regarding musculoskeletal features. There is a significant lack of knowledge with regard to management of aEDS, particularly in adulthood. As such, systematic follow-up and multidisciplinary treatment is essential., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Ultrasound evaluation is usually requested for women presenting with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) in early pregnancy. This is to check viability as well as to diagnose multiple pregnancies and exclude gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). The aim of this retrospective case control study was to evaluate the early pregnancy outcomes in women with HG and to compare them with an asymptomatic control group. 790 women referred with HG between 2002 and 2014 were matched for gestational age and maternal age with an asymptomatic patient attending for a reassurance or dating scan. A higher proportion of women with HG had ongoing pregnancies compared with controls and conversely, embryonic demise was less frequent in the HG group. The risk of twin pregnancy was doubled in the HG group compared to controls. There was no evidence of an increase in the prevalence of GTD. There appears to be a limited role for ultrasound in women who present with HG alone.