Background: Joint hypermobility syndromes (hypermobile Ehlers Danlos syndrome, hEDS, and symptomatic hypermobility spectrum disorders, HSD) are characterised by the presence of a chronic pain syndrome, fatigue, a certain degree of anxiety and depression, with a consequent reduction in quality of life and functional independence. In France, medical compression garments are commonly used, but their long-term effectiveness has not yet been proven.

Objectives: Evaluate the effectiveness of compression garments in the therapeutic management of patients with hEDS on functional independence, pain, fatigue, quality of life (QoL) and anxiety-depression levels.

Methods: Prospective interventional clinical study with a duration of 2 years and a follow-up of 26 months, multicentre. Patients aged 15 to 60 years with a diagnosis of hEDS or symptomatic HSD who had not worn compression garments for at least 6 months. The use of compression garments was prescribed at 4 months. Functional independence (MIF scale), pain (VAS), fatigue (Pichot scale), anxiety-depression (HAD scale), quality of life (EQ-5D-3L), compliance and patient satisfaction were assessed at 5 follow-up visits. This study was approved by the ethics committee and registered on ClinicalTrials.gov [NCT03330977].

Results: 107 patients (90% women) were included between December 2017 and March 2020. They included 83% with SED and 17% with HSD. The mean MIF score was relatively unchanged at inclusion (113.6 with a maximum of 126); 9.7% of patients had an increase in their score of at least 10% between 4 and 8 months; the score remained relatively constant between 4 and 26 months. At 26 months: 33.3% of patients improved their VAS pain score, 40% of patients improved their fatigue score, 35.3% of patients reduced their level of anxiety-depression on the HAD scale (with a more marked effect on the anxiety side) and 50% of patients increased their QoL score by more than 10%. 22% of patients had reduced their total daily dose of analgesics at 26 months.

Mean compliance as assessed by the investigators was 9.4 hours per day at 26 months. VC use was daily in 45.5% of cases, frequent (more than 4 days a week) in 21.2%, infrequent (< 4 days a week) in 24.2%, and permanent (days and nights) in 9.1%. No serious adverse events related to clothing were reported. At 26 months, 93% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied.

Conclusion: First study to evaluate the long-term effects of compression garments in real life in patients with hEDS and HSD. It shows long-term improvements in pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression and quality of life. Compression garments are safe medical devices with high patient satisfaction. Further studies will be needed to determine the profile of patients who could benefit most from the use of compression garments.

REFERENCES: NIL.

Acknowledgements: NIL.

Disclosure of Interests: Roland JAUSSAUD: None declared, Thomas MOULINET: None declared, Violaine Laurant-Noel: None declared, Amélie Servettaz: None declared, Richard Amoretti: None declared, Olivier Lidove: None declared, Bertrand Dussol: None declared, Boris Bienvenu: None declared, Aranud Metlaine: None declared, Elodie Vlamynck, Jerôme Gagnoux.