Myrl Jeffcoat myrlj@jps.net

Thanks to Sandra for sending the following.

Myrl

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Connective Tissue Disease

Sometimes referred to as Mixed Connective Tissue
Disease (MCTD), Undifferentiated Connective Tissue
Disease (UCTD) is similar in its design. Both
conditions are chronic inflammatory autoimmune
diseases, involving a disorder of the body's
connective tissues. With Mixed CTD, there is evidence
of several different connective tissue diseases, all
existing at the same time within the same body. With
Undifferentiated CTD, there may be multiple
conditions, related or not, but, at its base lies a
connective tissue disease that has not developed to
the point of being easily identified.

Connective tissue diseases may be, or may involve
into, any combination of Lupus, Scleroderma,
Polymyositis, Vasculitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis,
Sjogren's syndrome, and Fibromyalgia, as well as other
autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases are basically
those where the body produces abnormal cells
(Anti-nuclear antibodies, or ANA), which turn on the
body itself, attacking major body organs and tissues,
in their inability to distinguish between invading
infections and healthy cells. Autoimmune diseases and
conditions, then, wreak havoc on a body in multiple
ways, from the direct effects of the disease on
particular parts of the body, to the body's inability
to fight off standard body invaders. With any
autoimmune disease or condition, a person must deal
with multiple symptoms and problems, as well as having
to battle a fragile immune system..

With more easily identifiable connective tissue
diseases, recognizable factors have been found in the
body, through various lab tests, which allow
physicians to pinpoint a particular disease or
condition. With Undifferentiated CTD, there is the
presence of some type of connective tissue disease,
but it is undeveloped to the point of tagging it with
a set of identifiers so that physicians know exactly
what they are dealing with. Instead, physicians and
researchers say, Undifferentiated CTD is simply a
connective tissue disease "in the making."

It may be that Undifferentiated CTD may stay in the
same stage in which it is first found, never fully
developing. And, in some cases, researchers say, the
disease may even reverse itself. However, in the
majority of cases, an Undifferentiated CTD is usually
accompanied by an assortment of other connective
tissue diseases and/or autoimmune conditions. And, as
the body continues to fight against itself, it is left
weakened so that it has great difficulty in fighting
off even the simplest of viruses and infections. In
the long run, many Undifferentiated CTD's will further
develop into a more readily identified condition, such
as Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, or any number of other
ugly systemic rheumatic diseases and/or autoimmune
conditions.

One of the reasons Undifferentiated CTD is so
difficult to pinpoint is that many of the Rheumatic
diseases share similar characteristics, both in their
symptoms and in their lab test results. This is why
physicians are hesitant to put a definite tag on
something which could turn around and evolve into
something completely different.

Whether Undifferentiated or Mixed, connective tissue
diseases can affect the body in a number of areas,
including joints, skin, lungs, nervous system, skin,
kidneys, heart, and nervous system. Symptoms and
signals of Undifferentiated CTD may be different from
one person to the next, although many seem to share a
mix of similar autoimmune conditions. And, because of
the similar appearances and effects, many connective
tissue diseases and autoimmune conditions are often
misdiagnosed. With diseases that can range from mild
to life threatening, a missed diagnosis can cause
irreparable damage, and sometimes a more hastened
death.

A connective tissue disease diagnosis is not a death
sentence in and of itself, though some conditions can
become life-threatening. Many people suffer from these
conditions for years, able to live a full life with a
wide range of activities. These people may, at some
point in the future, see an increase in symptoms and a
worsening of their disease. Other people may live to a
ripe old age, never suffering serious complications of
their conditions. But the key to the best possible
outcome is as early a diagnosis as possible, with the
proper - and correct - diagnosis and treatments.

As connective tissue diseases may exist and linger for
many years, it may be difficult for a person to
recognize that a definite problem exists. Especially
when a patient hears a doctor say that the symptoms
and problems are "nothing" or simply all in the head
of the patient, a correct diagnosis may take even
longer to come about. Some symptoms to be aware of
include swelling in the joints, joint and muscle
pains, digestive problems, Raynaud's (extremities
suffering extreme cold, turning white when cold),
sleep problems, and usually an extreme fatigue. Some
people say the symptoms are much like having a bad
case of the flu. And, as with other autoimmune
conditions, the immune system does not usually work
properly, causing a person to suffer from more than
the usual infections and things.

As these symptoms are so common in a wide range of
health problems, it is absolutely necessary for a
person to seek competent health care. Often, a
rheumatologist, the leading researchers and
specialists in this field, should make a correct
diagnosis. And, though it is easy for someone to be
diagnosed simply as being depressed, depression may,
and often does, accompany connective tissue diseases
and autoimmune conditions, just as depression may well
result from many other chronic health problems.

The causes of Undifferentiated CTD are unknown,
especially as it is not one of the more common
diseases. Much of the current knowledge about
Undifferentiated CTD has come from the knowledge base
of similar or related diseases and conditions.

Though certainly a serious condition, and potentially
life-threatening, Undifferentiated CTD is survivable.
There are treatments available, relying on many of the
same treatments for other connective tissue diseases
and autoimmune conditions. There may be a need for
several types of medications, however, needed to
address the different symptoms and problems related to
the disease. The first step, then, in correctly
identifying and addressing the specific condition and
its problems, is to seek the proper health care.

With a good doctor, the proper diagnosis and care, an
Undifferentiated (or Mixed) Connective Tissue Disease
can be dealt with.