Joint Hypermobility Syndrome Affects Response to a Low Fermentable Oligosaccharide, Disaccharide, Monosaccharide and Polyol Diet in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients: A Retrospective Study

Comprehensive Assessment of Nutrition and Dietary Influences in Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome-A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

Disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) are common in patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome/hypermobility spectrum disorder (hEDS/HSD). Food is a known trigger for DGBI symptoms, which often leads to dietary alterations and, increasingly, nutrition support. We aimed to explore dietary behaviors and influencing factors in patients with hEDS/HSD.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, patients with hEDS/HSD were recruited from Ehlers-Danlos Support UK (nontertiary) and tertiary neurogastroenterology clinics to complete questionnaires characterizing the following: dietary behaviors, nutrition support, DGBI (Rome IV), gastrointestinal symptoms, anxiety, depression, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), mast cell activation syndrome, postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS), and quality of life. We used stepwise logistic regression to ascertain which factors were associated with dietary behaviors and nutrition support.

RESULTS

Of 680 participants (95% female, median age 39 years), 62.1% altered their diet in the last year and 62.3% regularly skipped meals. Altered diet was associated with the following: reflux symptoms ( P < 0.001), functional dyspepsia ( P = 0.008), reported mast cell activation syndrome ( P < 0.001), and a positive screen for ARFID, specifically fear of eating and low interest ( P < 0.001). Approximately 31.7% of those who altered their diet required nutrition support. The strongest predictor of requiring nutrition support was a positive screen for ARFID, specifically fear of eating (OR: 4.97, 95% CI: 2.09-11.8, P < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

Altered diet is very common in the patients with hEDS/HSD we studied and influenced by functional dyspepsia, reflux symptoms, and ARFID. Those with ARFID have a 4-fold increased risk of requiring nutrition support, and therefore, it is paramount that psychological support is offered in parallel with dietary support in the management of DGBI in hEDS/HSD.

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract: What the gastroenterologist needs to know

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and the hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) can be challenging to diagnose and manage. Gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders of gut-brain interaction are common in this cohort and multifactorial in origin. The primary aim of this review is to arm the gastroenterologist with a clinically useful understanding of HSD/hEDS, by exploring the association of gastrointestinal disorders with HSD/hEDS, highlighting current pathophysiological understanding and providing a pragmatic approach to managing these patients.

METHODS

Literature relevant to the gastrointestinal system and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome was systematically searched, critically appraised, and summarized.

RESULTS

Diagnosis is based upon clinical criteria and a genetic basis is yet to be defined. The prevalence of many gut symptoms, including abdominal pain (69% vs 27%, P < 0.0001), postprandial fullness (34% vs 16%, P = 0.01), constipation (73% vs 16%, P < 0.001), and diarrhea (47% vs 9%, P < 0.001) are significantly higher in HSD/hEDS compared with non-HSD/hEDS individuals. Disorders of gut-brain interaction are also common, particularly functional dyspepsia. The pathophysiology of gut symptoms is poorly understood but may involve effects of connective tissue laxity and its functional consequences, and the influence of autonomic dysfunction, medication and comorbid mental health disorders. Awareness is the key to early diagnosis. Management is limited in evidence-base but ideally should include an integrated multidisciplinary approach.

CONCLUSIONS

HSD/hEDS is a multisystemic disorder in which gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly related to disorders of gut-brain interaction are common. Deficiencies in knowledge regarding the pathophysiological processes limit evidence-based interventions and remain important areas for future research.

Overlap between irritable bowel syndrome and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: An unexplored clinical phenotype?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is common, but its cause remains unknown. IBS patients present with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as abdominal pain with altered bowel habits; however, some patients also have non-GI symptoms including muscle and joint pains. It is thus plausible that within large IBS cohorts, subgroups exist with distinct clinical phenotypes. Yet, these subgroups have not been clearly identified or characterized. Due to lack of segmentation, treatment-focused symptomatic management is similar for all with IBS and follows indiscriminate algorithms regardless of possible differing clinical phenotype. This universal approach to IBS management may account for the reported lack of efficacy of treatment. One emerging subgroup receiving increasing attention is that with overlap IBS and the underlying heritable connective tissue disorder, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS). Current evidence suggests that up to 62% of patients with hEDS suffer from IBS. However, despite recognition of the presence of IBS in hEDS, this overlap IBS/hEDS group has not been characterized and these patients are managed in a similar way to those with IBS alone. Future studies are required to characterize and deep phenotype in this overlap IBS/hEDS group.

Connecting brain and body: Transdiagnostic relevance of connective tissue variants to neuropsychiatric symptom expression

The mind is embodied; thoughts and feelings interact with states of physiological arousal and physical integrity of the body. In this context, there is mounting evidence for an association between psychiatric presentations and the expression variant connective tissue, commonly recognised as joint hypermobility. Joint hypermobility is common, frequently under-recognised, significantly impacts quality of life, and can exist in isolation or as the hallmark of hypermobility spectrum disorders (encompassing joint hypermobility syndrome and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome). In this narrative review, we appraise the current evidence linking psychiatric disorders across the lifespan, beginning with the relatively well-established connection with anxiety, to hypermobility. We next consider emerging associations with affective illnesses, eating disorders, alongside less well researched links with personality disorders, substance misuse and psychosis. We then review related findings relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders and stress-sensitive medical conditions. With growing understanding of mind-body interactions, we discuss potential aetiopathogenetic contributions of dysautonomia, aberrant interoceptive processing, immune dysregulation and proprioceptive impairments in the context of psychosocial stressors and genetic predisposition. We examine clinical implications of these evolving findings, calling for increased awareness amongst healthcare professionals of the transdiagnostic nature of hypermobility and related disorders. A role for early screening and detection of hypermobility in those presenting with mental health and somatic symptoms is further highlighted, with a view to facilitate preventative approaches alongside longer-term holistic management strategies. Finally, suggestions are offered for directions of future scientific exploration which may be key to further delineating fundamental mind-body-brain interactions.

Practical management strategies for benign hypermobility syndromes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Patients with symptomatic hypermobility syndrome such as hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (hEDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) commonly present to rheumatologists with joint pain and functional disability. Providers often have difficulty with diagnosis due to a lack of knowledge on the range of associated manifestations and the available therapeutic modalities. This review will discuss recent updates on diagnostic measures and treatment options for rheumatologists to help patients navigate hEDS/HSD.

RECENT FINDINGS

This article describes newer diagnostic measures and assessment of hEDS/HSD manifestations. Evidence supporting physical therapy and occupational therapy is provided, as well as recent updates on assistive devices, compressive garments, orthoses, and surgical interventions. Given patient heterogeneity specific guidance about the amount and type of therapies required to produce a beneficial effect is lacking. Treatment should be individualized, and many of the studies focus on regional joint complaints rather than a whole-body approach.

SUMMARY

Physical therapy and occupational therapy remain the cornerstone of treatment.

Recent advances in diagnosis and management of irritable bowel syndrome

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review summarizes recent progress in the diagnosis and management of irritable bowel syndrome, with a focus on dietary and microbiota aspects.

RECENT FINDINGS

From a pathophysiological point of view, IBS is a multifactorial condition with both peripheral (transit) as central (visceral hypersensitivity, anxiety, depression) contribution in a cumulative fashion to the symptom pattern and severity. More recently, the focus has shifted to diet and microbiota. The number of dietary options that can be used for IBS and the understanding of determinants of their efficacy is rapidly increasing. Several studies have confirmed the efficacy of the low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet. Sucrose-isomaltase deficiency has emerged as pathogenetic mechanisms in a subset of patients, who do not respond to low FODMAP diet but may respond to starch and sucrose elimination. Herbal remedies, probiotics and secretagogues have been the topic of additional treatment trials. The efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation in IBS is variable across studies, but donor selection is emerging as a critical factor.

SUMMARY

Irritable bowel syndrome has evolved into a disorder of interaction between dietary factors and gut microbiota, with impact on bowel symptoms as well as extra-intestinal, central, symptoms. Dietary adjustments and treatments targeting the gut microbiota are areas of active research and clinical progress.