{"id":13,"date":"2026-09-29T15:57:51","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T13:57:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sterkvoorbindweefsel.nl\/wat-is-cba\/"},"modified":"2026-10-02T02:47:55","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T00:47:55","slug":"wat-is-cba","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sterkvoorbindweefsel.nl\/en\/wat-is-cba\/","title":{"rendered":"What is CBA?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Collagen Connective Tissue Disorders<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Collagen Connective Tissue Disorder?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Collagen gives strength and cohesion to bones, joints, muscles, blood vessels and skin, among other things. In Collagen Connective Tissue Disorders this connective tissue works differently. The consequences can therefore affect the whole body.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Collagen is the rope that holds your body together<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Collagen is a protein that runs through your whole body as strong, interwoven fibres: in bones, muscles, skin, tendons and blood vessels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a CBA the body produces this protein incorrectly. The fibres are thinner, weaker or wrongly built \u2014 so the “rope” frays and the body loses its strength.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Strong collagen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

fibres grip each other firmly<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Weak collagen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

fibres fray and break<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Weak collagen affects the whole body<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Brittle bones and cartilage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bones break more easily and cartilage wears faster. This leads to painful joints, instability and a higher risk of osteoporosis or osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Skin, tendons and muscles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The skin loses elasticity and becomes fragile. Tendons and muscles are overloaded or tear more easily, because the supporting tissue does not absorb forces well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Organs and blood vessels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Internal connective tissue weakens, so organs are supported less well. Weak collagen makes vessel walls fragile, with a risk of aneurysms and bleeding.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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This affects us<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Behind every number is someone who lives with the consequences of weak collagen every day. This is how the symptoms are distributed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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30.000+<\/p>\n\n\n\n

people in the Netherlands live with a CBA<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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23.000+<\/p>\n\n\n\n

live with painful muscles<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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4.500+<\/p>\n\n\n\n

have fragile blood vessels<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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4 in 10<\/p>\n\n\n\n

are estimated to depend on a wheelchair<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Around 4 in 10 depend on a wheelchair<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Around 40% of people with a CBA depend on a wheelchair. That is why, alongside our research into medication, we work with Freedom on Wheels towards a more wheelchair-accessible Netherlands.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"Sterk<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Why are there so many disorders?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Collagen connective tissue is found throughout the body and comes in different types. Six hereditary collagen types can cause serious connective tissue disorders. Depending on which type is affected, a different clinical picture arises, with life-defining consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n