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Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease

by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023

Additional names

This group contains additional names: - UCTD

General

Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease is a condition that is characterized by the presence of symptoms and laboratory features that suggest an autoimmune connective tissue disorder but do not meet the diagnostic criteria for a specific connective tissue disease such as lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis.

9 people with Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease

Learn from others who are experiencing Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease.

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Signs & symptoms

The symptoms of UCTD are varied and may include: * Fatigue * Joint pain and stiffness * Raynaud's phenomenon (fingers turning white or blue in response to cold or stress) * Skin rashes * Muscle weakness * Shortness of breath * Dry eyes and mouth * Swollen glands

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of UCTD is based on a combination of clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, and exclusion of other connective tissue diseases. Some of the laboratory tests that may be used to diagnose UCTD include: * Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) test * Anti-Ro/La Antibody test * Rheumatoid factor (RF) test * Complete Blood Count (CBC) * Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) * C-reactive protein (CRP) test

Treatment

The treatment of UCTD is aimed at controlling the symptoms and preventing complications. Treatment may include: * Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for joint pain and stiffness. * Corticosteroids such as prednisone for more severe symptoms such as muscle weakness or inflammation. * Hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug, is often used to treat skin rashes and joint pain. * Immunosuppressive drugs such as methotrexate may be used to suppress the immune system in severe cases. * Monitoring for complications such as lung or heart involvement, which may require additional treatment.

Note

☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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