Author/Authors :
Ishiguro, Hiroki Department of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Ethics - Graduate School of Medicine - University of Yamanashi, Japan , Honobe, Naomi Department of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Ethics - Graduate School of Medicine - University of Yamanashi, Japan , Suzuki, Takefumi Department of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Ethics - Graduate School of Medicine - University of Yamanashi, Japan , Tamai, Mariko Genetic Disease Medical Center - University of Yamanashi Hospital, Japan , Nakane, Takaya Genetic Disease Medical Center - University of Yamanashi Hospital, Japan
Abstract :
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) comprises a series of rare hereditary connective tissue diseases characterized by musculoskeletal,skin, and cardiovascular involvements. EDS may be associated with physical as well as psychological pain that can lead to psychiatricproblems. EDS imposes substantial psychological burden on patients, and recent large-scale studies have suggested that patientswith EDS have a higher risk of mood disorders than the general population. To the best of our knowledge, we describe, for thefirst time, the cases of two Japanese patients with EDS complicated with mood disorders who secondarily developed transvestismthat was judged strongly related to early stressful situations through childhood and adolescence. The first case was of a man inhis mid-30s and the second of a woman in her late 20s. We report on detailed psychosocial data to further discuss the medicalmanagement and genetic counseling of such infrequent but challenging conditions. Physicians are advised to be aware of variouspotential psychological and psychiatric issues that may accompany EDS.
