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Information

Editors

TomPettersson

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD)

Definition and epidemiology

  • Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a rare disorder, that shows features of rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, polymyositis and systemic sclerosis and that is characterized by anti-ribonucleoprotein antibodies in high titre.
  • The clinical picture is variable and changes over time, often towards the clinical picture of systemic sclerosis.
  • Most patients are women aged 30-40 years.

Clinical picture

  • Almost all patients have arthritis or arthralgia
  • Swelling of the fingers and Raynaud's phenomenon
  • Skin changes resembling those seen in SLE
  • Muscle symptoms, which resemble those seen in polymyositis
  • Pleuritis, carditis and nephritis occur but are more common in SLE

Examinations and diagnosis

  • Full blood count, ESR, CRP, chemical urinalysis, plasma creatinine, creatine kinase, serum antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor
  • Anaemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia are common findings.
  • ESR is usually elevated, but CRP concentration may be normal or slightly elevated.
  • Speckled pattern of anti-nuclear antibodies is a typical finding
  • Within specialized care e.g. determination of antibodies against extractable nuclear antigens: antibodies reacting with nuclear ribonucleoprotein are found. The diagnosis is made within specialized care.

Treatment

Related Keywords

ATC Code:

H02AB01

H02AB02

H02AB04

H02AB06

H02AB07

H02AB08

H02AB09

H02AB13

H02BX01

M01AB01

M01AB02

M01AB05

M01AB08

M01AB15

M01AB51

M01AB55

M01AC01

M01AC02

M01AC06

M01AE01

M01AE02

M01AE03

M01AE11

M01AE17

M01AE51

M01AE52

M01AG01

M01AG02

M01AX01

M01AX17

N02AJ08

N02BA01

N02BA51

N02BA57

A07EC01

L04AD01

L04AX03

M01CC01

P01BA01

P01BA02

Primary/Secondary Keywords