Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in the Western Cape

The Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is an uncommon heterogeneous inherited disorder in which articular hypermobility is associated with cutaneous extensibility and tissue fragility. A wide variety of complications may occur and although some forms of EDS are innocuous, others can cause serious disability. The condition has been reported from many parts of the world, but there is little information about it in Africa. To elucidate the local situation 12 affected people from the Western Cape have been investigated and information concerning 8 others has been analysed.