Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease

 
 

Overview

When the symptoms and lab test results of a systemic connective tissue disease are present but do not meet enough characteristics for a specific diagnosis (such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus).

Common Symptoms

Joint pain, rashes, dry eyes/mouth, fever, sun sensitivity, hair loss (alopecia), Raynaud’s phenomenon, muscle weakness, fatigue, blood clots, anemia, and lung and heart inflammation that causes chest pains.

Coexisting Diseases and Conditions

Thyroid diseases, endothelial dysfunction, anxiety, and pulmonary fibrosis.

Risk Factors and Prevalence

Females are more likely to develop UCTD than men. Furthermore, studies have found that individuals with low levels of vitamin D are more susceptible to developing UCTD than those with sufficient levels. Finally, the disease has been seen more among those between the ages of 30 and 50 than in other age groups.

Sources

  1. Article Sources and Footnotes

    1. Mitnick, H., & Askanase, A. (2019, January 20). Undifferentiated Connective Tissue disease. Rheumatology Advisor. https://www.rheumatologyadvisor.com/home/decision-support-in-medicine/rheumatology/undifferentiated-connective-tissue-disease/. 

    2. Mukerji, B., & Hardin, J. G. (1993). Undifferentiated, overlapping, and mixed connective tissue diseases. The American journal of the medical sciences, 305(2), 114–119. https://doi.org/10.1097/00000441-199302000-00011. 

    3. Rodgers, L. (2020, September 28). What Is Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease? Here’s How to Know If You Have It. CreakyJoints. https://creakyjoints.org/symptoms/what-is-undifferentiated-connective-tissue-disease/.

    4. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Undifferentiated connective tissue disease. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/12342/undifferentiated-connective-tissue-disease.