Which statement best differentiates Marfan syndrome from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?

• A. Marfan's involves microfibrils with aortic disease; Ehlers-Danlos involves collagen with hypermobile joints and berry aneurysm
• B. Marfan's involves collagen with hypermobile joints; Ehlers-Danlos involves microfibrils with aortic disease
• C. Both are caused by collagen defects leading to hypermobility
• D. Ehlers-Danlos has a higher risk of aortic dissection than Marfan's

Answer: (A)

At the heart is the difference in the underlying defect: Marfan syndrome stems from a problem with microfibrils, specifically fibrillin-1, which weakens connective tissue and notably affects the aorta, leading to root dilation and risk of dissection. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome comes from collagen defects, which produce hypermobile joints and fragile tissues; some forms also raise vascular rupture risk, including cerebral aneurysms like berry aneurysms.

So the best statement captures that Marfan is a microfibril (fibrillin) issue with aortic involvement, while Ehlers-Danlos is a collagen problem that causes hypermobile joints (and vascular manifestations).