Background and aims: Prior studies have shown a high prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, diagnoses of functional GI diseases (FGIDs), and pelvic floor symptoms associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). It is unclear if Marfan syndrome (MFS), another common hereditary noninflammatory connective tissue disorder, is also associated these symptoms. This study evaluates the prevalence of and compares FGIDs and pelvic floor symptoms in a national cohort of EDS and MFS patients.

Methods: A questionnaire was sent to members of local and national MFS and EDS societies. The questionnaire evaluated the presence of GI and pelvic floor symptoms and diagnoses. The presence of FGIDs was confirmed using Rome III criteria. Quality of life was evaluated and scored with the CDC quality of life.

Key results: Overall, 3934 patients completed the questionnaire, from which 1804 reported that they had some form of EDS and 600 had MFS. In total, 93% of patients with EDS complained of GI symptoms and qualified for at least one FGID compared with 69.8% of patients with MFS. When comparing EDS prevalence of upper and lower GI symptoms as well as FGIDs, subjects with EDS reported significantly higher prevalence of Rome III FGIDs as compared with those with MFS. Irritable bowel syndrome (57.8% vs. 27.0%, P<0.001), functional dyspepsia (FD) (55.4% vs. 25.0%, P<0.001), postprandial distress (49.6% vs. 21.7%, P<0.001), heartburn (33.1% vs. 16.8%, P<0.001), dysphagia (28.5% vs. 18.3%, P<0.001), aerophagia (24.7% vs. 12.3%, P<0.001), and nausea (24.7% vs. 7.2%, P<0.001) were all significantly greater in the EDS population compared with MFS population. The prevalence of FGIDs was similar across subtypes of EDS. In general, participants with EDS were more likely to have nearly all pelvic floor symptoms as compared with participants with MFS.

Conclusions: The prevalence of FGIDs and pelvic floor symptoms in EDS is higher than that found in MFS. The prevalence of FGIDs were similar across EDS subtypes. This study supports the mounting evidence for FGIDs in those with connective tissue diseases, but more specifically, in EDS.