Accuracy of Clinical Diagnostic Criteria for Patients with Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome in a Tertiary Referral Centre.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) is a rare inherited connective tissue disease secondary to mutations within the COL3A1 gene. The diagnosis of vEDS is challenging and patient selection for genetic testing relies on diagnostic criteria, which have never been evaluated. METHODS: All patients seen at a dedicated tertiary referral centre for a suspicion of vEDS between January 2001 and March 2016 were retrospectively included in a diagnostic accuracy study. Major and minor diagnostic criteria of the Villefranche classification were tested for sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV), according to results of genetic testing. RESULTS: N=519 patients were eligible for analysis dividing into n=384 probands and n=135 relatives. A pathogenic COL3A1 variant was identified in n=165 (31.8%) patients. The Villefranche criteria were met for n=248 patients with a Se of 79% (95%CI 0.72-0.85) and a NPV of 87% (95%CI 0.83-0.91). Diagnostic accuracy was highest for symptomatic probands (Se 92%; NPV 95%) with limited Sp (60%). Probands {less than or equal to}25 years had the worst diagnostic performance. The revised diagnostic Criteria (2017) were less accurate than the Villefranche classification (overall Diagnostic odds-ratio (DOR) 4.17 vs. 7.8, probands DOR 4.04 vs. 18.1; probands {less than or equal to}25 years DOR 2.36 vs. 5.1), mainly due to a lack of Se. CONCLUSIONS: The Villefranche criteria provide accurate detection of symptomatic probands in specialized practice, but have limited Sp. The revised diagnostic criteria for vEDS have increased Sp, but its overall performance is poorer. The early clinical diagnosis of probands without family history is not addressed by both diagnostic classifications.