Approach Considerations

Medical care

The most important tools in treatment of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) include tailoring the medical regimen, promptly attending to disease flare, and performing careful and frequent clinical and laboratory evaluations to test for new disease manifestations.

Some patients have physical findings and laboratory studies that more closely resemble lupus (particularly double-stranded DNA and hypocomplementemia), and treatment should be tailored to treat a lupuslike disease.

Strongly consider annual echocardiography, pulmonary function testing, and barium swallow.

Surgical care

No specific surgical care is required.

Consultations

A rheumatologist should be an integral part of the medical care team supporting the patient with mixed connective tissue disease. Other consultants depend on the organ systems involved and the disease severity.

Diet

Diet restrictions are driven by medical therapy and disease manifestations. Prescribe a low-fat, calcium-sufficient diet with no added salt for patients receiving corticosteroids.

Recognize and evaluate nontraditional remedies along with traditional medications for safety and efficacy.

Activity

Encourage the patient with mixed connective tissue disease to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Limitations should occur only secondary to serious organ involvement that prevents performance of activities.

Advise patients with mixed connective tissue disease to avoid fatigue.

Advise patients with mixed connective tissue disease to avoid significant cold exposures or to dress accordingly to decrease Raynaud symptoms.

Medication

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