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Systemic Sclerosis: Scleroderma in Overlap, MCTD, UCTD
This page was written by Shelley Ensz and has not yet been medically edited. See Disclaimer.
Overview
Scleroderma in Overlap
Connective Tissue Disease (CTD)
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD)
Multiple Autoimmune Syndrome
Shared Autoimmunity
Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD)
Overlap Patient and Caregiver Stories
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD)
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease is an overlap of clinical features of systemic lupus ertythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and polymyositis, along with very high ribonucleoprotein autoantibodies, but without antibodies for other specific autoimmune diseases. (Also see: Lupus, Systemic Sclerosis, Polymyositis, and Antibodies)
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease Merck Manual.
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease eMedicine Journal.
The overlap sometimes meets the criteria for Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. MedicineNet.
Clinical and Immunologic Manifestations of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MTCD) in a Miami Population Compared to a Midwestern US Caucasian Population. The Miami and Missouri Caucasian MCTD groups were largely similar; however, gastroesophageal reflux, sclerodactyly, and malar rash were significantly more frequent in the Missouri MCTD group and alopecia was more frequent in the Miami MCTD group. J Rheumatol 2008;35:429-37
Evaluation of Paraoxonase Activity in Patients with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD). Our results indicate that in patients with MCTD there is an increased risk for atherosclerosis. J Rheumatol 2008;35:237-43. (Also see: Cardiac) (Note: The antioxidant paraoxonase (PON1) is an endogenous free radical scavenger in the human body.)
The Cutoff Points of Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) with High Negative and Positive Predictive Values. Analysis of 5655 Cases. The cutoff point of ANA titer 160 is appropriate to exclude SLE (Lupus), MCTD (Mixed Connective Tissue Disease), SSc (Systemic Scleroderma) in most of the clinical setting. ANA 640 or higher deserves further investigation such as disease specific autoantibodies even without characteristic clinical findings, especially after proper exams for chronic liver and thyroid diseases and RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis). Hisanori Shimizu. 1515/129. ACR 2007. (Also see: Antibodies, SSc, Lupus, and RA)

Digital (Finger) Ulcer from Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD). This digital ulcer is 14 weeks old. It was caused by secondary Raynaud's phenomenon, in a patient with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD).

The MCTD was diagnosed 5 years ago, after thyroid gland removal. ISN Photo Repository, contributed by Jeanne N.

Arthritis strikes young. Courtney Noel, 11 years old, of Unity, has juvenile arthritis, an autoimmune disease that can cause joint pain, stiffness, swelling and decreased mobility, among many other problems. There are several, and also more severe types of juvenile arthritis, including the type Courtney has —mixed connective tissue disease. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. 07/02/07. (Also see: Arthritis)
Capillaroscopy is a dynamic process in mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). Nailfold capillaroscopy in MCTD is a dynamic process and analysis of each scleroderma-pattern parameter seems to be a good indicator of lung involvement and disease severity. Lupus, Vol. 16, No. 4, 254-258 (2007). (Also see: Common Medical Tests)
Coexistence of systemic sclerosis with other autoimmune diseases. Our study shows that approximately one third of patients affected by systemic sclerosis developed one or more additional autoimmune diseases. Therefore patients with systemic sclerosis should be carefully evaluated both at onset and during the follow-up for the possible coexistence of other autoimmune disorders. PubMed. Rheumatol Int. 2006 Sep 19. (Also see: Overlap Syndrome)
Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD): a case with scleroderma renal crisis following abortion. Immune response to U1-ribonucleoprotein is the defining serological feature of MCTD. We report a case of MCTD with pulmonary involvement that developed scleroderma renal crisis after an abortion. PubMed. Clin Rheumatol. 2006 Nov 21. (Also see: Pulmonary Involvement and Renal Involvement)
Doppler Echocardiographic Evaluation in Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD). Signs of left ventricle diastolic function disorder were observed in patients with MCTD. Results suggest that global left ventricle function loss is the consequence of the disease itself and not of the treatment. J. Vegh. SAT0255 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Cardiac Involvement)
Outcome of pregnancies complicated by systemic sclerosis and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). Most pregnancies in women with SSc and MCTD in this cohort were uncomplicated. The high rates of prematurity and small for gestational age infants underscore the risk for growth restriction consistent with the vasculopathy associated with these diseases. (PubMed) Lupus, Vol 15, No 9, Sept 2006, pp. 595-599(5). (Also see: MCTD)
Immunosuppressive Therapy in Connective Tissue Diseases-Associated (CTD) Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). PAH associated with SLE (Lupus) or Mixed CTD might respond to a treatment combining glucocorticosteroids and cyclophosphamide. Chest. 2006;130:182-189. (Also see: Lupus and Pulmonary Hypertension )
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD): Clinical, Laboratory and Outcome Analysis. MCTD is a distinctive entity rather than a haphazard association of clinical and serological features. Our study and several others highlight the impact of pulmonary hypertension in MCTD. M. Smiti Khanfir. AB0290 EULAR 2006.
The development of connective tissue diseases (CTD) in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH): a case series. Patients with AIH may be at increased risk for developing systemic CTD and patients with systemic CTD may be at increased risk of developing AIH. PubMed. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2006 Jun;35(6):344-8. (Also see: Liver Involvement)
Successful Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PH) Associated with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) by Methylprednisolone Pulse Therapy. Our findings suggest the long-term efficacy of methylprednisolone pulse therapy for early PH associated with MCTD. Doppler echocardiography is also very useful to detect early PH in MCTD. S. Ohshima. AB0283 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Pulmonary Hypertension)
Immunosuppressive treatment for mixed connective tissue disease may facilitate the development of adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma in a HTLVI carrier. We review the literature and raise the issue of the mutual interactions between MCTD-causative anti-HTLV-I immune response and anti-ATLL immune response. PubMed Intern Med. 2006 May;45(5):297-301.
Mixed connective tissue disease. Over the last 30 years there has been a continuing debate as to whether MCTD constitutes a 'distinct clinical entity'. Providing it is realized that our appreciation of the clinical features associated with anti-U1RNP have evolved over time, MCTD remains a useful concept in clinical practice. PubMed. Lupus. 2006;15(3):132-7.
MCTD: is it rare in India? Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) has been rarely reported from India. We found 16 cases among 441 patients with connective tissue disease. PubMed. Clin Rheumatol. 2006 Apr 6.
Association of systemic and thyroid autoimmune diseases. Systemic and thyroid autoimmune diseases often overlap with each other. HT (Hashimoto's thyroiditis) and GD (Graves' disease) may be most common among MCTD, SSc and SS patients. Therefore it is clinically important to screen patients with systemic autoimmune diseases for the co-existence of thyroid disorders. PubMed. Clin Rheumatol. 2005 Oct 25. (Also see: Thyroid Disease, What is Scleroderma? and Sjogren's Syndrome)
Raynaud's Phenomenon in Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. The goal in the therapy of Raynaud's phenomenon in MCTD is to decrease the frequency of attacks, prevent digital ulceration, and limit progressive vascular damage. PubMed. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2005 Aug;31(3):465-81.
Treatment of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). Therapy should be individualized to address the specific organ involved and the severity of underlying disease activity. Corticosteroids, antimalarials, methotrexate, cytotoxics (most often cyclophosphamide), and vasodilators have been used in the treatment of MCTD with varying degrees of success. PubMed. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2005 Aug;31(3):549-65.
Does mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) exist? Yes. For patients who have combined features of rheumatoid arthritis, the limited cutaneous form of systemic sclerosis, and inflammatory myopathies, the concept of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) often helps to predict and diagnose organ problems and to educate the patient accordingly. PubMed. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2005 Aug;31(3):411-20.
Pulmonary hypertension not a major feature of early mixed connective tissue disease: A prospective clinicoserological study. Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) has features common to lupus, scleroderma and myositis with high levels of antibodies to U1 ribonucleoprotein (U1 RNP). PubMed. J Postgrad Med. 2005 Apr-Jun;51(2):104-8. (Also see: Pulmonary Hypertension)
Pulmonary hypertension in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. More studies are needed to clarify the relationship between age and pulmonary hypertension and to verify whether the low prevalence of pulmonary hypertension we found in our SLE patients is related or not to their lower age. PubMed. Reumatismo. 2005 Apr-Jun;57(2):114-8. (Also see: Pulmonary Hypertension and Lupus)
Second degree atrioventricular block in mixed connective tissue disease. Heart blocks are rarely described in MCTD. Three cases have been reported. It's a systemic complication resulting from an inflammatory process often responsive to steroids. PubMed. Rev Med Interne. 2005 May 27.
Evaluation of Survival Rates in Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD). Our results suggest that MCTD is not such a benign disease as was earlier described. Vascular lesions, such as endothelial cell proliferation causing pulmonary hypertension, microangiopathy, and coronary heart disease represent unfavorable prognostic factors regarding the outcome of MCTD. E. Bodolay. SAT0220 EULAR 2003.
Clinical Significance of Antibodies to TS1-RNA in Patients with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. We found that the level of anti-TS1-RNA antibodies was possibly correlated with the disease activity of lupus-like clinical features in patients with MCTD. J Rheumatol NO. 5 MAY 2003;30:998-1005.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-a Antagonists Induce Lupus-like Syndrome in Patients with Scleroderma Overlap/Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. It now appears that although these therapies may suppress some autoimmune diseases, they may potentiate others. LISA CHRISTOPHER-STINE, MD. J Rheumatol NO. 12 DECEMBER 2003;30:2725.
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Mixed Connective Tissue Disease: Clinical Abnormalities and Successful Treatment with Prostacyclin. Combination treatment of prostacyclin, corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents may effectively control and improve cardiac function in PAH underlying MCTD. J. Végh. AB0113 EULAR 2004. (Also see: Pulmonary Hypertension)
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