eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Connective Tissue Diseases

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease: Follow-up

Author: Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH, Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
Coauthor(s): Anna Sysa-Jedrzejowska, MD, PhD, Head, Professor, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Lodz, Poland; Anna Wozniacka, MD, PhD, Adjunct Lecturer, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Lodz, Poland
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Oct 5, 2009

Follow-up

Deterrence/Prevention

  • Deterrence and prevention of mixed connective-tissue disease (MCTD) includes photoprotection.

Complications

  • Approximately 10% of patients with mixed connective-tissue disease (MCTD) have an increased risk of cancer development during the course of disease.

Prognosis

  • Prognosis for patients with mixed connective-tissue disease (MCTD) is better than for patients who have only one form of overlapping disease. Many patients will later progress to scleroderma or lupus; some will remain undifferentiated. In addition, myositis of MCTD may have a better prognosis than other forms of myositis.
  • In one case series, solid tumors developed in approximately 10% of patients.
  • Nephritis is associated with a poor prognosis. It is considered a common cause of death.

Patient Education

  • Educate mixed connective-tissue disease (MCTD) patients regarding photoprotection. Patients should avoid sun exposure, which is a triggering and aggravating factor.
  • Patients with Raynaud phenomenon should be instructed to avoid exposure to cold.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Sclerodermiformis may appear as systemic sclerosis.
 
Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous Chief Editor, William D. James, MD, to the development and writing of this article.



More on Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

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Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
Treatment & Medication: Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
Follow-up: Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
Multimedia: Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
References
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Further Reading

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Keywords

mixed connective-tissue disease, MCTD, CTD, Sharp syndrome, Sharp's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE, systemic sclerosis, SSc, dermatomyositis, DM, polymyositis, PM, Sjögren syndrome, U1-ribonucleoprotein antibodies, U1-RNP

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH, Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Anna Sysa-Jedrzejowska, MD, PhD, Head, Professor, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Lodz, Poland
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Anna Wozniacka, MD, PhD, Adjunct Lecturer, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Lodz, Poland
Anna Wozniacka, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Russell Hall, MD, Chief, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, Duke University
Russell Hall, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Dermatological Association, American Federation for Medical Research, American Society for Clinical Investigation, and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Genetech Grant/research funds Principle Investigator; Centecor  Grant/research funds Principle Investigator

Pharmacy Editor

Michael J Wells, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Van Perry, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Texas Health Science Center
Van Perry, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Glen H Crawford, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Chief, Division of Dermatology, The Pennsylvania Hospital
Glen H Crawford, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society of USAF Flight Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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