Mixed connective tissue disease (patient information)

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Mixed connective tissue disease

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Mixed connective tissue disease?

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Mixed connective tissue disease On the Web

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shaghayegh Habibi, M.D.[2]

Overview

Symptoms of mixed connective tissue disease include cold and numb fingers or toes, swollen fingers or hands, muscle and joint pain and rash. Mixed connective tissue disease is an autoimmune disorder that your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells In connective tissue diseases. Your immune system attacks the fibers that provide the framework and support for your body. MCTD can occur in people of any age. However, it appears to be most common in women under the age of 30. There's no cure for mixed connective tissue disease. Corticosteroids are commonly used to manage the signs and symptoms of mixed connective tissue disease. In MCTD, prognosis depends on the type of organ involvement and the worst prognosis and high mortality rate are associated with the presence of pulmonary involvement. It can lead to serious complications, including high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension), Interstitial lung disease, Heart disease, Kidney damage, digestive tract damage, Anemia, tissue death (necrosis), hearing loss

What are the Symptoms of mixed connective tissue disease?

Symptoms of mixed connective tissue disease include:

  • General feeling of being unwell: This malaise may be accompanied by increased fatigue and a mild fever.
  • Cold and numb fingers or toes (Raynaud's phenomenon): In response to cold or stress, your fingers or toes might turn white and then purplish blue. After warming, the fingers or toes turn red.
  • Swollen fingers or hands: Some people experience swelling to the point where the fingers resemble sausages.
  • Muscle and joint pain: Joints may become deformed, similar to what occurs with rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Rash: Red or reddish brown patches may appear over the knuckles.

What Causes mixed connective tissue disease?

Who is at Highest Risk?

  • Mixed connective tissue disease can occur in people of any age. However, it appears to be most common in women under the age of 30.

Diagnosis

When to Seek Urgent Medical Care?

See your doctor if you have signs and symptoms that interfere with your daily routine — particularly if you've already been diagnosed with lupus or another connective tissue disease.

Treatment Options

Where to find Medical Care for mixed connective tissue disease?

Medical care for mixed connective tissue disease can be found here.

Prevention

There are no established measures for the prevention of MCTD.

What to Expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible Complications

Mixed connective tissue disease can lead to serious complications, including:

Sources

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"Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic".