What is the Difference Between Fibromyalgia and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?

Fibromyalgia and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) are two distinct conditions that can present with overlapping symptoms, making it challenging to differentiate between them. Here are the main differences between the two:

Fibromyalgia:

• Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, memory problems, and mood issues.
• It is diagnosed based on the patient's symptoms and the exclusion of other conditions.
• Joint pain is a common symptom in fibromyalgia patients.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS):

• EDS is a heritable connective tissue disorder caused by a disorder in collagen, leading to increased laxity in bodily organs such as skin, ligaments, joints, blood vessels, and inner organs.
• Symptoms of EDS include joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, atrophic scarring, cardiovascular abnormalities, dysautonomia, and chronic fatigue.
• Joint pain is also a common symptom in patients with hypermobile EDS and hypermobility spectrum disorders.

There is a high overlap in patients diagnosed with hypermobile EDS or hypermobile spectrum disorders with fibromyalgia and 40 self-reported symptoms and comorbidities. Some studies suggest that EDS can be present alongside fibromyalgia, with patients experiencing more severe disease when both conditions are present. In conclusion, while there is a significant overlap in symptoms between fibromyalgia and EDS, the underlying causes and characteristics of these conditions are distinct.

Comparative Table: Fibromyalgia vs Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Fibromyalgia and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) are two distinct medical disorders that share some overlapping symptoms. Here is a table comparing the key differences between the two:

It is essential to note that while there is an overlap between the two conditions, they are distinct disorders with different causal factors and manifestations.