What is a Connective Tissue Disease?
Connective Tissue Diseases (CTD) are a group of rare systemic autoimmune diseases affecting the connective tissue of the body. To this group belong systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren´s syndrome, scleroderma, limited systemic sclerosis (CREST), poly-/dermatomyositis and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD).
What are the symptoms?
Because CTDs are systemic diseases different organs can be involved and independent symptoms can occur
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Inflammatory rheumatic systemic disease with a potential involvement of all organs
Sjögren´s Syndrome
Less/no lacrimal fluid, less/no saliva, frequent eye infection, even up to blindness, difficulty to speak and swallow, intense caries
Scleroderma
Swollen face and hands in the morning, calcium deposits in the skin, ulcerations of the fingers, involvement of the lung in >60% of cases
CREST
Restricted to the fingers or distal limbs (not truncal), internal organ involvement restricted to gastrointestinal tract.
Dermatomyositis / Polymyositis
Muscle weakness in shoulders, pelvis or thighs (first symptoms), symmetric pain, in dermatomyositis: redness and swelling of the skin, soft tissue calcification, pain in joints, difficulties with speech and swallowing
MCTD
First symptoms: Muscle weakness, swollen hands and general swelling of the skin.
Please note that many of these diseases are very rare.
Should you suffer from similar symptoms, please consult your physician.
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