Anne Maitland - EDS and its Fellow Traveler, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome

Dr. Anne Maitland discusses the relationship between Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) at the 2018 EDS Global Learning Conference. She explains that while both conditions have been recognized for some time, the connection between mast cells and the connective tissues they interact with is relatively new. Maitland shares her experience working with patients exhibiting symptoms of both conditions, highlighting that typical allergy tests often fail to identify triggers in these patients. She emphasizes that MCAS is a tissue-based issue, not just an allergy problem, and that a combination of patient history, symptoms across multiple organ systems, and response to treatment are critical for diagnosis. Maitland also notes the lack of education among medical practitioners regarding mast cells, affecting timely diagnosis and management of MCAS. She calls for a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, involving testing for immune deficiencies and using personalized therapeutics to manage symptoms.