collagen vascular disease

A term applied to systemic disorders affecting connective tissue. Clinical manifestations: 1) fibrinoid necrosis 2) vasculitis 2 autoimmunity a) anti-nuclear antibodies b) circulating immune complexes The term suffers from a lack of any evidence that collagen is involved primarily involved in these disorders. Usage derives from the fact that 'collagen' was once synonymous with 'connective tissue'

References

Stedman's Medical Dictionary 26th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1995