Introduction and Relevance of the Condition
In a country where 51% of the population is female and women lead 40% of the formal labor force, an underestimated and little-known genetic condition may be stealing years of productivity and well-being from tens of thousands of Mexican women. This article explores the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), its impact on women’s professional lives, and the transformative leadership of Dr. Ana María Serrano Ardila in addressing this hidden health crisis.
Understanding Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
EDS is not a single disease but a spectrum of 14 genetic disorders affecting connective tissue elasticity and strength. The most common form, hypermobility EDS (hEDS), lacks a definitive diagnostic test. Symptoms include hypermobile joints, stretchy skin, tissue fragility, chronic musculoskeletal pain, persistent fatigue, gastrointestinal issues like reflux or dysmotility, disautonomia (dizziness upon standing), and comorbidities such as mast cell activation or neuropathies. These symptoms often begin in adolescence and are misdiagnosed as stress or delayed diagnoses of up to 20 years.
The Prevalence and Impact in Mexico
With an estimated 190,000 individuals in Mexico living with EDS, many of whom are of working age, the condition remains largely unrecognized by the healthcare system. This underdiagnosis leads to poor quality of life and increased absenteeism or presenteeism among patients, many of whom are professionals or entrepreneurs.
Dr. Ana María Serrano Ardila’s Transformative Leadership
Dr. Serrano, an orthopedist trained at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and UNAM, was recently named Medical Specialist of the Year by the Ehlers-Danlos Society in Toronto, Canada. She founded and coordinates MExEDS, the first Mexican network of specialists in EDS/EDS and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD). MExEDS promotes a multidisciplinary care model integrating rheumatology, dermatology, urology, pediatrics, orthopedics, and nutrition. In 2025, MExEDS was designated a “Core Network of Excellence” by the international society, the only one in Latin America, validating its focus on timely diagnoses and personalized treatments.
MExEDS’ Impact and Opportunities
By coordinating care, MExEDS reduces healthcare costs by avoiding endless referrals for diagnosis. For patients, it means returning to work with strategies like physical therapy, mindfulness, or heat/cold packs instead of ineffective opioids. Economically, investing in networks like MExEDS can generate returns through public-private funds, such as those from IMSS or pharmaceutical companies interested in non-pharmacological therapies. Collaborations with AI startups for early hypermobility screening or insurance coverage of multidisciplinary treatments could prevent more than half (57%) of EDS patients from becoming temporarily disabled, according to a 2022 study.
Early Diagnosis and Addressing Underdiagnosis
The Ehlers-Danlos Society estimates that early diagnosis can save up to 30% in medical costs. The main challenge today is underdiagnosis, perpetuating a vicious cycle where economically productive women with EDS experience symptoms like cognitive fog affecting executive decisions or gastrointestinal dysmotility keeping them from business meals.
Other Healthcare Developments in Mexico
IMSS Bienestar’s Telemedicine Initiative
Alejandro Svarch, head of IMSS Bienestar, announced the start of a telemedicine project in rural communities, aiming to connect 450 medical units with second- and third-level hospitals. The first phase will install telemedicine nodes in nine Chiapas locations, using medical units from Nayarit and Sinaloa for consultations in pediatrics, gynecology, dermatology, cardiology, and other areas. With an initial investment of 70 million pesos, they aim to provide 25,000 remote consultations in the first year of operation, eventually extending to centers of health in indigenous communities like Amuzgas, Purépecha, and Yaqui to reduce historical gaps in specialized care for indigenous peoples.
TecSalud Network Fosters Hospital Collaboration
The TecSalud Network, a collaboration between private hospitals, held its Second Annual Meeting with 15 affiliated hospitals across Mexico. The theme was inter- and intra-institutional collaboration as the cornerstone for medical work and how to make it a measurable practice. Led by Tec Salud, the meeting featured a panel of health sector leaders, including Héctor Valle, CEO of Funsalud, and Patrick Devlyn Jr., president of the Health Commission of the Coordinating Body of Enterprises (CCE), along with other experts in leadership and TecSalud leaders. They discussed collaboration between private, public, and health-affiliated institutions from various angles.
Valuing Caregivers’ Work in Mexico
On the International Day of Caregivers, Takeda, along with Alba A.C. Foundation and Unidos, Association for Bone Marrow Transplantation “Francisco Casares Cortina” A.C., aim to highlight the essential work of millions who daily care for those most in need, especially those with chronic or debilitating conditions. Caregiving in Latin America can sum up to 1,800 hours per person annually. In Mexico, ENASIC data reveals that around 60 million people may require care, with 64.5% attended by a family member or close acquaintance and 75.1% of caregivers being women.
Changes at Israel-Based Teva
Teva’s significant expansion in Latin America over recent years has allowed the Israeli pharmaceutical company to solidify its presence in key markets. This effort was led by Rodrigo Fernández as Teva Latam’s Senior Vice President since 2021, simultaneously heading Teva Mexico. Now, Fernández will oversee strategy execution across all segments (innovative, generic, and biosimilar), integrating teams and accelerating growth in international markets. From his new role, he will be responsible for all commercial operations outside the US and Europe, encompassing Asia, Africa, Canada, Israel, and Latin America.
