The basics of mixed connective tissue disease

Mixed connective tissue disease is a disease with clinical manifestations of many disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and polymyositis. This is a rare disease. People with this condition also often have Sjogren's syndrome. Sounds complicated right? Let's learn more about this disease with SignsSymptomsList.

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• 1. Overview
• 2. What are the manifestations of mixed connective tissue disease?
• 3. What is the cause of mixed connective tissue disease?
• 4. Complications caused by mixed connective tissue disease
• 5. How is mixed connective tissue disease diagnosed?
• 6. How is this condition treated?
• Ending

1. Overview

Patients with mixed connective tissue disease often do not have obvious symptoms. Sometimes the disease will show this symptom, sometimes there are other signs. This makes it very difficult to properly diagnose the disease.

Hands and joints may be the first site of mixed connective tissue disease

The earliest signs of the disease usually appear in the hands . Fingertips may swell, become numb, and turn white. These signs usually appear when it is cold. In later stages of the disease, other organs may be damaged. The disease can affect the lungs, heart or kidneys.

Currently, there is no specific treatment for this disease. The methods of intervention mainly depend on the manifestation of the disease and the affected organ.

2. What are the manifestations of mixed connective tissue disease?

The symptoms of the disease can be quite vague. Here are some possible signs:

• Feeling tired, unwell. May be accompanied by a low-grade fever, feeling weak.
• Feeling of coldness and numbness in the fingertips and feet ( Raynaud's phenomenon ) . When exposed to low temperatures, the fingertips become sickly white, then turn purple. When re-warmed, the fingertips turn dark red again.

Raynaud's phenomenon

• Feeling finger, hand swelling, edema. Some patients have finger edema.
• Muscle pain, joint pain. Joints can become inflamed, swollen, and deformed. These symptoms are quite similar to rheumatoid arthritis .
• Rash. A red, pink, or brown rash may appear.

Rash on the knuckles may be seen in mixed connective tissue disease

When should you go to the doctor?

See your doctor when these symptoms are affecting your life. Sometimes, they don't cause too much discomfort. However, if you have ever been diagnosed with lupus erythematosus or other connective tissue diseases, see your doctor when you notice any of these unusual signs.

3. What is the cause of mixed connective tissue disease?

Mixed connective tissue disease is an autoimmune disease. That is, this is a disease of the immune system, creating agents that attack the body's tissues. The specific cause of the disease is currently unknown. When the patient's tissues are attacked by the immune system, they cause damage to the organ systems.

For patients with the disease, the connective fibers that support the body's structures are damaged. This condition may be related to a genetic problem. However, the genetic mechanism of the disease remains unclear.

So who usually gets mixed connective tissue disease?

Mixed connective tissue disease can develop at any age. However, the disease is most common in women under the age of 50.

4. Complications caused by mixed connective tissue disease

The disease can cause dangerous complications. Some serious medical conditions can lead to death.

• Pulmonary hypertension (elevated blood pressure in the lungs). It is a major cause of death in patients with mixed connective tissue disease.

Pulmonary hypertension is a potentially fatal complication

• Interstitial lung disease. This is a group of diseases that includes many different disorders. These diseases can cause scarring in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.
• Heart disease. Patients may have myocardial hypertrophy or pericarditis. Heart failure is also a possible complication.
• Kidney damage. About a quarter of patients with the disease have kidney damage. In some cases, it can lead to kidney failure.
• Injury to the gastrointestinal tract. Often patients with the disease will have damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms may include abdominal pain and indigestion.
• Anemia. Approximately 75% of patients have anemia . The cause is usually iron deficiency.
• Tissue necrosis. Patients with Raynaud's disease may develop finger necrosis later in life.
• Reduced hearing. One study estimates that about half of patients have hearing problems.
• Nerve damage. Sjogren's syndrome can affect the sensory nerves in the face. If you have trigeminal neuralgia (Vaginalgia), a small irritation in the facial area can cause excruciating pain.

5. How is mixed connective tissue disease diagnosed?

Your doctor will examine you and ask you questions in detail. This helps to distinguish the diseases you have. In addition, the hand and joints should be carefully examined for pain, inflammation, or deformity. You'll also need more blood tests to look for the specific antibody that's causing your symptoms. This antibody is produced in patients with mixed connective tissue disease and has a role in the diagnosis.

Antibody blood test helps diagnose mixed connective tissue disease

6. How is this condition treated?

Currently, there is no definitive treatment for mixed connective tissue disease. However, appropriate medication use helps to alleviate and control symptoms.

The type of medication used will depend on the severity of the disease and the clinical symptoms. Some medications that may be used include:

• Corticosteroids. This is a group of drugs that suppress the immune system. These drugs help prevent the immune system from attacking the body's cells and tissues. The most commonly used drug is prednisone. However, the drug also has quite a few side effects. Some of the side effects you should watch out for include weight gain, mood swings, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and cataracts .
• Antimalarial drugs. Some drugs, such as hydroxychloroquine, can be used to treat mild illness and prevent exacerbations.
• Calcium channel blockers. This class of drugs relaxes vascular smooth muscle and is used to treat Raynaud's phenomenon. Commonly used drugs such as nifedipine, amlodipine.
• Other immunosuppressive drugs. Depending on your condition, your doctor may prescribe medications that suppress your immune system. For example, if your condition is similar to lupus, your doctor may use lupus medications to keep your disease under control.
• Medicines to treat pulmonary hypertension. Bosentan or sildenafil can be used for this purpose.

Lifestyle adjustments and home treatment

There are many measures that can help you in the treatment of mixed connective tissue disease. Please refer to one and suggestions below.

• Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications can help relieve pain when you have only mild pain. Some commonly used medications include ibuprofen or naproxen sodium. However, if the pain does not go away or is uncomfortable when taking the medicine, see a doctor for timely support.
• Keep your hands from getting cold. You should wear gloves or use other measures to keep your hands warm. This will help reduce discomfort caused by Raynaud's phenomenon.
• Stop/don't smoke. Smoking causes your blood vessels to constrict, which in turn makes Raynaud's phenomenon worse.
• Reduce stress. Raynaud's phenomenon also sometimes occurs when you are stressed. Therefore, practice relaxation techniques that reduce stress levels.

The use of warm gloves can help prevent Raynaud's phenomenon

Ending

Mixed connective tissue is a rare disease that affects many organs in the body. Severe cases can cause dangerous complications, which can be fatal. Currently, there is no specific treatment for the disease, but medications can be used to control the disease and prevent complications. Please share this information with everyone around.

Doctor Nguyen Van Huan