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undifferentiated connective tissue disease
Diagnostic criteria:
- syndrome with objective abnormalities that do not meet criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus or other connective tissue disease [1]
Clinical manifestations:
- most cases are mild [1]
- may have Raynaud's phenomenon & inflammatory arthritis
- over time, may evolve into specific autoimmune disease. most commonly systemic lupus erythematosus
Laboratory:
- antinuclear antibody may be positive
- SSA/Ro Ab in serum may be positive
Differential diagnosis:
- systemic lupus erythematosus
- choose undifferentiated connective tissue disease if criteria for SLE not met (physical examination findings are normal)* [1]
- other connective tissue disease
* patient may have Raynaud's phenomenon with normal physical examination [1]
Management:
- NSAIDs,
- hydroxychloroquine if NSAIDs ineffective
General
connective tissue disease; soft tissue disease
syndrome
References
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 17, 18, 19.
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2015, 2018, 2022
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 20
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2025
- Mosca M, Tani C, Carli L, Bombardieri S.
Undifferentiated CTD: a wide spectrum of autoimmune diseases.
Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2012 Feb;26(1):73-7. Review.
PMID: 22424194
- Rubio J, Kyttaris VC.
Undifferentiated connective tissue disease: comprehensive review.
Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2023;25:98-106.
PMID: 36884206