Question: What is Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD)? How is it different from UCTD?
What is Mixed Connective Tissue Disease? How is it diagnosed and treated? How is it different from Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease?
Answer:
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease vs. Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) and Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD) are conditions that have similarities to Lupus. All are felt to be due to an overactive immune system that attacks itself instead of fighting off foreign pathogens such as bacteria.Clinical Symptoms Associated With Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
Patients with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease often present with:
What You Should Know About Raynaud's Phenomenon
Diagnostic Tests For Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
The condition (Mixed Connective Tissue Disease) is characterized by the presence of a positive ANA (antinuclear antibody test) as well as a more specific antibody, RNP (editor's note: RNP is an autoantibody to nuclear proteins called ribonuclear proteins.)
Features Of Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease
Patients with Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease may have features of Lupus such as arthritis and a positive ANA, but do not have enough of the necessary clinical features to be diagnosed as Lupus. In both cases (Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease, treatment is based on the patient's clinical presentation. For example, if the joints are involved, Plaquenil is often prescribed. If there is muscle inflammation as one might see with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, then corticosteroids along with other disease modifying drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate might be given.
Answer provided by Scott J. Zashin, M.D., clinical assistant professor at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Division of Rheumatology, in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Zashin is also an attending physician at Presbyterian Hospitals of Dallas and Plano. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Rheumatology and a member of the American Medical Association. Dr. Zashin is author of Arthritis Without Pain - The Miracle Of Anti-TNF Blockers. The book is a must-have for anyone on one of the biologic drugs (Enbrel, Remicade, Humira) or considering the biologic drugs. Read my review of the book.
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