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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
Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD)
When a person has symptoms of various connective tissue diseases without meeting the full criteria for any one of them, it is often called Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease.
New Systemic Sclerosis Classification Created. One in five patients with clinical symptoms characteristic of systemic sclerosis do not fit into the popular classification scheme that divides the disease into the diffuse and limited cutaneous subtypes, according to Dr. Thomas Krieg. B. Jancin. Rheumatology News. Volume 7, Issue 9, Page 27 (September 2008) (Also see: Types of Scleroderma and Overlap)
Vitamin D or hormone D deficiency in autoimmune rheumatic diseases, including undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD). Epidemiological evidence indicates a significant association between vitamin D deficiency and an increased incidence of autoimmune diseases. Patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease also show vitamin D deficiency and, interestingly, patients who progress into CTDs had the lower vitamin D levels than those who remained in UCTD stage. M. Cutolo. Arthritis Research & Therapy. Dec 2 2008. (Also see: Vitamin D Deficiency)
Vitamin D deficiency in Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD). Our results suggest that vitamin D deficiency in UCTD patients may play a role in the subsequent progress into well-defined CTDs. E. Zold. Arthritis Research & Therapy. October 18, 2008. (Also see: Vitamin D Deficiency)
Progressive divergent shifts in natural and induced T-regulatory cells signify the transition from undifferentiated (UCTD) to definitive connective tissue disease (CTD). The shift toward T(h)1 with increased IFNgamma production in patients with UCTD combined with the degree of immunoregulatory disturbances characterized by the progressive divergent shifts in natural and induced T-regulatory cell populations signify the transition from undifferentiated to definitive CTD. (PubMed) Szodoray P. Int Immunol 2008 Jun 11.
Comparison of Survival Among Patients With Connective Tissue Disease and Cardiomyopathy (Systemic Sclerosis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, and Undifferentiated Disease-UCTD). The diagnosis of cardiomyopathy and either undifferentiated CTD or systemic sclerosis appears to be a poor prognostic indicator compared with the diagnosis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and cardiomyopathy have a similar prognosis to those with idiopathic DCM (Sciene Direct) The American Journal of Cardiology Volume 100, Issue 3, 1 August 2007, Pages 513-517. (Also see: Lupus, and Cardiac Involvement)
Anti-Thyroid Autoantibody-Associated Interface Dermatitis in Individuals with Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD): An Unrecognized Subset of Autoimmune Disease? We have identified a new subset of individuals with UCTD, interface dermatitis, and increased anti-thyroid antibodies. Journal of Rheumatology. Vol 34: NO. 1 Jan 2007.
Defining Unclassifiable Connective Tissue Diseases: Incomplete, Undifferentiated, or Both? More exact and correct classification could improve the clinical and therapeutic approach to these patients and lead to a better definition of their prognosis. Further multicenter analysis is necessary to better define both clinical and serological exclusion criteria. J. Rheumatol. Vol. 32 No. 2 February 2005. Editorial.
Raynaud's phenomenon in undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD). Our study indicates that patients with UCTD would seem to have a benign form of Raynaud's, since they show the absence of cutaneous complications, the existence of a mild microvascular damage and a stable nailfold capillary pattern. PubMed. Clin Rheumatol. 2005 Apr;24(2):145-51. (Also see: Raynaud's)
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