Joint Hypermobility Syndrome/Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Hypermobility Type (JHS/EDS-HT) is a hereditary connective tissue disorder, mainly characterized by joint hypermobility and instability, widespread chronic pain, and other secondary features. To date, psychiatric disorders have been scarcely investigated in the context of JHS/EDS-HT. Previous studies reported a high rate of panic and other anxiety disorders. No data regarding personality disorders are currently available.

To determine the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities among patients with JHS/EDS-HT

We conducted a single-centre case-control study, enrolling consecutive JHS/EDS-HT patients and healthy controls. The psychiatric evaluation was based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I and II disorders. Symptom severity was assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. The Global Assessment of Functioning Scale was used to assess the overall severity of psychological, social, and occupational functioning.

Forty-seven JHS/EDS-HT patients and 45 healthy controls were recruited. Cases had significantly higher mean scores for all the adopted measures, and a 4.3 higher risk of being affected by any psychiatric disorder when compared to controls. In particular, they had a 5.8 higher risk of having a personality disorders, and, specifically, a higher rate of OCPD (10.6%). Conversely, we did not observe a high prevalence of panic disorders, as previously reported.

Patients with JHS/EDS-HT show higher rates of mood and personality disorders (OCPD particularly), while we found low rate of anxiety disorders. The psychiatric evaluation of these patients is strongly recommended.