| Systemic Sclerosis: Scleroderma in Overlap, MCTD, UCTD |
| This page was written by Shelley Ensz and has not yet been medically edited. See Disclaimer. |
| Connective Tissue Disease (CTD) |
| Connective Tissue Disease. A connective tissue disease is any disease that has the connective tissues of the body as a primary target of pathology. The connective tissue diseases include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, polymyositis, and dermatomyositis. MedicineNet.com |
| Minor Salivary Gland Biopsy (MSGB) To Detect Primary Sjögren Syndrome (pSS) in Patients With Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD). Confirming a diagnosis of pSS-related ILD by performing MSGB allows for more precise connective tissue disease (CTD) classification. This study provides evidence that CTD may exist subclinically and longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether identifying occult CTD impacts on management, longitudinal changes in lung function, or survival. Aryeh Fischer, MD. Chest. October 2009. (Also see: Sjögren’s Diagnosis) |
| Role of imaging in vasculitis and connective tissue diseases. Magnetic resonance imaging is the investigation of choice to detect and monitor brain disease, while computerized tomography is the best procedure for lung disease. However, since most imaging findings are not entirely specific for any given condition, it is important to interpret the results of imaging in the broader clinical context. N. Pipitone MD, PhD. (Science Direct) Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology Vol 22, Issue 6, December 2008, Pages 1075-1091. (Also see: Vasculitis, and Medical Tests) |
| Connective Tissue Disease Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in the Modern Treatment Era. Survival in SSc-PAH in the modern treatment era is better than in historical series. A significant proportion of patients with mild functional impairment or exercise-induced SSc-PAH have evidence of disease progression. Survival in patients with respiratory disease associated pulmonary hypertension is inferior. R. Condliffe. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. October, 2008. (Also see: PAH) |
| Is there a predisposition for the development of autoimmune diseases in patients with fibromyalgia (FM)? Retrospective analysis with long term follow-up. The risk of connective tissue disease (CTD) is not increased in FM. The detection of ANA (antinuclear antibodies) does not predict the development of CTD. However, in individual cases, FM may be an early sign of an autoimmune disease. (IngentaConnect) Rheumatology International, Vol 27, No 11, Sept 2007, pp. 1031-1039(9). (Also see Fibromyalgia) |
| Serum proteins and paraproteins in women with silicone implants and connective tissue disease: a case-control study. Women with silicone implants had unexpectedly low serum globulin and immunoglobulin levels, with or without the subsequent development of CTD. The causes and clinical implications of these findings require further investigation. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2007, 9:R95. (Also see: Silicon Implants) |
| Systemic sclerosis and related connective tissue diseases: present and future. Although considerable progress has been made in recent years, we have a long way to go. Early diagnosis and treatment with effective therapies are key to providing patients with the best possible long-term outcomes. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2007, 9(Suppl 2):S1. (Also see: Scleroderma Treatments) |
| Carbon Monoxide Diffusing Capacity (DLCO) Correlates With Functional Pulmonary Vascular Surface Area In Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) From Connective Tissue Disease (CTD). This is the first demonstration that the reduction in DLCO in PAH-CTD is at least in part related to loss of functional capillary surface area, and is proportional to its severity. D. Langleben THU0285 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Pulmonary Hypertension) |
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