Undifferentiated connective tissue disease
Summary
Undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) is a systemic autoimmune disease. This means the body’s natural immune system does not behave normally. Instead of serving to fight infections such as bacteria and viruses, the body’s own immune system attacks itself. In UCTD, autoimmunity may cause the immune system to attack specific parts of the body resulting in a variety of problems. The phrase “connective tissue disease” is used to describe the diseases of the immune system that are treated primarily by rheumatologists. These represent systemic autoimmune diseases that often involve the joints, cartilage, muscles, and skin. They can also involve any other organ system such as the eyes, heart, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, bone marrow, nervous system, and blood vessels. Examples of connective tissue diseases include lupus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, myositis, and vasculitis. There are many people who have features of connective tissue disease; however, they do not fulfill the diagnostic criteria established for any one disease. In such circumstances, they are often considered to have “undifferentiated” connective tissue disease. Over time, people with UCTD may evolve into one of the more specific connective tissue diseases, such as lupus, Sjögren’s or scleroderma.
From the Autoimmune Association.
Symptoms
Joint pain, rashes, dry eyes/mouth, fever, sun sensitivity, hair loss (alopecia), Raynaud’s phenomenon, muscle weakness, fatigue, blood clots, anemia, and lung and heart inflammation that causes chest pains.
From the Global Autoimmune Institute.
Diagnostic Criteria
Under Investigation
Diagnostic Tests
Under Investigation
Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Associations
Under Investigation
Tissue-Type or Cell-Type Attacked
Under Investigation
Attacking Immune Cell Type or Process
Under Investigation
Treatment Modality
Under Investigation
Managing Specialist(s)
Under Investigation
Associated Infections
Under Investigation
Associated Toxins
Under Investigation
Research Authors
Under Investigation
Research Institutions
Under Investigation
Average Time from Symptom Onset to Diagnosis
Under Investigation
Last Updated
October 14, 2022
References
Undifferentiated connective tissue disease. Autoimmune Association. (unknown). Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://autoimmune.org/disease-information/undifferentiated-connective-tissue-disease-uctd/
Undifferentiated connective tissue disease. Global Autoimmune Institute. (2022). Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.autoimmuneinstitute.org/undifferentiated-connective-tissue-disease/