Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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HardHuman Disease & Dental ManagementEhlers-Danlos SyndromeORE Part 1

A patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome presents for dental treatment. Which of the following is the most important consideration for dental management?

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Correct answer: D — Increased risk of excessive bleeding and poor wound healing

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is characterised by vascular and soft tissue fragility due to abnormal collagen synthesis. The connective tissue defect directly compromises haemostasis and wound healing, making excessive bleeding and delayed wound healing the paramount concerns in dental management. This requires enhanced perioperative haemostatic techniques and close wound monitoring. Infective endocarditis (option B) does not occur in EDS; the cardiac risk in EDS is vascular fragility, not valvular disease. Increased caries risk (option C), TMJ ankylosis (option D) and enamel hypoplasia (option E) are not characteristic manifestations and do not drive management strategy. Option D is the single discriminating answer based on the pathophysiology.

Reference: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: Role of the dentist. PubMed PMID 34583919 (2021); Recommendations for anesthesia and perioperative management in patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome(s), DOI 10.1186/s13023-014-0109-5 (2014); NHS Ehlers-Danlos syndromes. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ehlers-danlos-syndromes/