What is Mixed Connective Tissue Disease?

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) is a disorder characterized by overlapping clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and other autoimmune diseases, either simultaneously or at different stages of the disease course. Its clinical manifestations are diverse and may include, but are not limited to, joint pain, muscle aches, fever, hair loss, rash, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Patients with MCTD can be detected with high titers of anti-RNP antibodies in serum, but do not fulfill the individual classification criteria for any one of the aforementioned diseases. Treatment of this disease requires a comprehensive approach considering the patient's symptoms and disease severity, incorporating psychotherapy, physical therapy, traditional Chinese medicine, pharmacological therapy, and surgical intervention.