Mixed connective tissue disease: still crazy after all these years.
Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) remains a controversial diagnosis. The classification criteria have changed significantly from the original description by Sharp and colleagues in 1972 after follow-up of the original and other MCTD patients. In this article we review the clinical, serologic, and genetic studies of MCTD published in the last 10 years and ask if this term is appropriate.
Swanton
Josephine
J
Centre for Rheumatology, University College London Hospitals, Arthur Stanley House, 40-50 Tottenham Street, London W1T 4NJ, UK.
Isenberg
David
D
D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008947:Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D017412:Ribonucleoprotein, U1 Small Nuclear / Q000276:immunology; D009626:Terminology as Topic
D001323:Autoantibodies; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D017412:Ribonucleoprotein, U1 Small Nuclear