title: Mixed connective tissue disease--goodbye to all that.
abstract: Since it was first described mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) has been the subject of much debate. In particular the question of whether it is a truly distinctive disease entity has been challenged. It seems clear that the original description of MCTD as a mild disorder, rarely affecting the lungs or kidneys and requiring small doses of corticosteroids only, is no longer tenable. In this review a historical analysis of the clinical and serological features is presented. It is suggested that the concept of MCTD as a distinct disease entity is better replaced by the term 'undifferentiated autoimmune rheumatic/connective tissue disorder'. Many of these patients will later 'convert' into scleroderma or lupus; some will remain undifferentiated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Royal Free Hospital, London.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Isenberg
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000378:metabolism; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000473:pathology; D008947:Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D017412:Ribonucleoprotein, U1 Small Nuclear / Q000276:immunology; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D017412:Ribonucleoprotein, U1 Small Nuclear