title: Update on connective tissue diseases in dermatology.
abstract: Recent advances in understanding the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, including lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, and scleroderma, have allowed for reorganization of the classification of these disorders. With these novel stratifications, early identification of rheumatic skin diseases with systemic implications and consistency in designing and executing therapeutic trials will be enhanced. This review will provide a compilation of updates on epidemiology, pathology, evaluation, and classification with a predominant focus on therapeutics, reflecting the growth is this area.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390-9190, USA. Melissa.costner@utsouthwestern.edu
authors.forename: Melissa I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Costner
authors.forename: Renee H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Grau
mesh_terms: D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008178:Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*