Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

Mixed connective tissue disease has signs and symptoms of a combination of disorders — primarily lupus, scleroderma and polymyositis. For this reason, mixed connective tissue disease is sometimes referred to as an overlap disease. MCTD combines features of scleroderma, myositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis (with some sources adding polymyositis) and is thus considered an overlap syndrome.

Onset of mixed connective tissue disease can occur anytime from early childhood to elderly adulthood, but the average age of onset is 37 years. Approximately 80 percent of individuals are female.MCTD occurs worldwide and in all races, with a peak incidence in the teens and 20s. About 80% of people who have this disease are women. The cause is unknown. In some patients, the disorder evolves into classic systemic sclerosis or SLE.

There's no cure for mixed connective tissue disease. The signs and symptoms are usually treated with certain medications, such as prednisone.Early indications of mixed connective tissue disease can include: General feeling of being unwell, Cold and numb fingers or toes (Raynaud's phenomenon), Swollen fingers or hands, Muscle and joint pain.