title: [The clinical spectrum of connective tissue diseases - a single intensive care experience].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Systemic connective tissue diseases are relatively rare disorders of unknown origin, possibly related to autoimmunity. In the retrospective study, we analysed the records of nine patients suffering from connective tissue disorders who were treated during a two-year period in an intensive therapy unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hospital medical records, observational charts and all other available medical documents were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The clinical courses of 9 patients were studied. They included 4 with scleroderma, 3 with systemic lupus erythematosus, and 2 with inflammatory myopathy. They were admitted to the ITU because of sepsis and/or pneumonia, pulmonary haemorrhage, or cardiovascular failure. Three patients (2 with systemic sclerosis, 1 with systemic lupus erythematosus) died.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A multidisciplinary approach to treatment is a key factor in the successful management of patients with rare diseases, such as connective tissue pathologies. Frequent infections with respiratory and/or circulatory complications are the most common causes of severe morbidity in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Oddział Anestezjologii i Intensywnej Terapii, SPSK Nr 7, Slaski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Górnoślaskie Centrum Medyczne w Katowicach. oait@gcm.pl
authors.forename: Danuta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gierek
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jezienicki
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cyzowski
authors.forename: Henryka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chmurzewska
authors.forename: Eugeniusz
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kucharz
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kotulska
authors.forename: Józefa
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dabek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000453:epidemiology; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009220:Myositis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011044:Poland; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult