Types of Connective Tissue Disorders -Special focus on mixed connective tissue disorder (MCTD)
The human body is made up of connective tissues that provide
structural support and “connect” organs and systems. They are integral to the
normal functioning of the body.
However, autoimmune conditions or genetic factors can disrupt
the working of these connective tissues. This disruption can lead to connective
tissue disorders. Through this blog, we will help you understand the
intricacies of connective tissue disorders, including their symptoms, types,
classifications, and potential treatment options. This blog will also address mixed
connective tissue disorder (MCTD) by delving into its diagnostic criteria,
prognosis, and management strategies.
Understanding connective tissue
disorders
Connective tissue disorders
encompass a broad range of medical conditions that disrupt the connective
tissues in the body. These disorders may be due to autoimmune triggers, genetic
conditions (mutations), or even a combination of both factors.
Connective tissues include collagen,
elastin, fibrillin, and various other types that support and connect the
various organs and systems of the body. In a person with a connective tissue
disorder, the collagen and elastin become inflamed. The symptoms of connective
tissue disorders include:
● Joint pain and swelling
●
Muscle
weakness
●
Skin
abnormalities (rashes, redness, sensitivity to sunlight, skin thickening)
●
Fatigue
●
Fevers
●
Hair
loss
●
Mouth
ulcers
●
Chest
pain
●
Respiratory
problems
●
Kidney
issues
●
Gastrointestinal
issues
●
Vision
trouble and other eye-related problems
● Neurological symptoms (cognitive
difficulties, headaches, nerve damage)
With over 200 different types of
connective tissue disorders, it may be difficult to zero in on specific causes.
However, research indicates the following may be considered as triggers and causes
of connective tissue disorders:
● Infection
●
Excessive
exposure to ultraviolet light
●
Inadequate
nutrition, deficiency of vitamins C and D
● Exposure to toxin
Types of connective tissue disorders
Connective tissue disorders
are categorised according to their primary characteristics and underlying
causes or triggers. The most common types of connective tissue disorders
characterised by inflammation from autoimmune conditions are listed below:
●
Rheumatoid
Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the joints, causing
inflammation, pain, and stiffness. As the condition advances, it can lead to
joint damage and deformities.
●
Systemic
Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is also an autoimmune disease that affects various
systems in the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and nervous
system.
●
Scleroderma
is a group of rare autoimmune disorders that causes the hardening and
tightening of the skin and connective tissues. This happens due to the
overproduction of collagen. Scleroderma is also known to affect internal
organs.
○
Systemic
Sclerosis is a subtype of scleroderma, and causes thickening and scarring of
connective tissues. It also impacts multiple organs.
●
Churg-Strauss
Syndrome is a type of autoimmune vasculitis that impacts the cells in the blood
vessels of the lungs, skin, gastrointestinal system, and nerves.
●
Microscopic
Polyangiitis (MPA) affects the cells in the blood vessels throughout the body.
It is a rare condition.
●
Granulomatosis
with Polyangiitis (GPA) is a type of vasculitis that affects the kidneys,
lungs, nose, and other organs. It causes inflammation of the blood vessels in
organs.
●
Polymyositis
is characterised by inflammation and weakness in the skeletal muscles. The
immune system mistakenly attacks and damages muscle fibres. This causes muscle
weakness, and deters everyday functionality. It is also known as
dermatomyositis.
●
Mixed
Connective Tissue Disorder (MCTD) is a distinct connective tissue disorder that
shares characteristics of multiple connective tissue diseases, including lupus,
scleroderma, and polymyositis. It has its diagnostic criteria and distinct
clinical presentation. It is also known as the Sharp Syndrome.
Connective tissue disorders may also be
triggered by genetic factors. These types of connective tissue disorders
include:
●
Ehlers-Danlos
Syndrome occurs due to the disruption of collagen formation, and is
characterised by overly flexible joints, stretchy skin, as well as abnormal
growth of scar tissue.
● Marfan Syndrome is triggered by the
deficiency of the protein fibrillin. It can impact the ligaments, bones,
cartilage, tendons, eyes, lungs, skin, blood vessels, and heart.
● Epidermolysis Bullosa is a result of a
gene mutation that causes the skin to become more delicate and fragile. People
with this condition often get blisters or tears on the skin at the slightest
contact. This type of disorder affects the production of different types of
protein in the body, such as laminin, keratin, collagen, and others.
●
Osteogenesis
Imperfecta is the result of gene mutations that impact the production of
collagen. It is also characterised by low muscle mass, overly relaxed ligaments
and joints, as well as brittle bones. Some people with this condition also
experience hearing loss, a curved spine, respiratory problems, bluish grey tint
in the whites of their eyes, and teeth that break easily.
Diagnosis of Mixed Connective Tissue
Disorder (MCTD)
Diagnosing MCTD can be difficult due to
its overlapping features with other connective tissue diseases. The first step
is to rule out other connective tissue disorders. The typical diagnostic
criteria for MCTD includes the following:
●
High
levels of U1 RNP antibodies in the blood
● Clinical symptoms and signs, such as joint
pain, skin rashes, muscle weakness, and Raynaud's phenomenon
The following tests may be conducted to
rule out or diagnose MCTD:
● X-Rays
●
Magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) scans
●
Tests
for antibodies
●
Blood
tests
●
Urine
tests
●
Tests
for dry eyes and mouth
●
Tissue
biopsy
● Tests for inflammation markers (C-reative
protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR))
Symptoms of MCTD
Typically, MCTD presents as a combination
of symptoms common to other connective tissue disorders. Some of these symptoms
include:
●
Joint
pain and swelling like in rheumatoid arthritis
●
Skin
changes, such as skin tightening and thickening seen in scleroderma
●
Muscle
weakness and inflammation, as seen in polymyositis
●
Fingers
and toes turning white, then blue, and finally red in response to cold or
stress; also known as Raynaud's phenomenon
●
Fatigue,
fever, and weight loss
Treatment for MCTD
Early diagnosis and
treatment is critical for preventing organ damage that can be the eventual
outcome if MCTD is left untreated. Some of the most commonly prescribed
treatments for MCTD include:
Medications
These are determined by the
symptoms and complications the patient may be experiencing. Medications
generally include corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs
(DMARDs).
Physical and
Occupational Therapy
These help improve muscle
strength, reduce joint pain, and enhance overall functioning.
Lifestyle
Modifications
A balanced diet, regular
exercise, and stress management are essential for patients with MCTD.
Symptom-Specific
Treatments
These treatments typically
target specific symptoms. For example, a patient exhibiting symptoms of
Raynaud’s phenomenon, may be prescribed medications to improve their blood
circulation.
Stem cell therapy
for connective tissue disorders at Plexus
Mesenchymal stem cells
(MSCs) have shown incredible promise in managing autoimmune conditions like
rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis. Their multipotency, ability to mediate
the immune response and secrete anti-inflammatory properties, as well as the
immune system’s tolerance of them make MSCs the ideal choice for managing
connective tissue disorders too.
Injected MSCs suppress the patient’s
immune system, and also bring about fundamental changes within the immune
system that are critical for long-term remission. Additionally, stem cell
therapy for MCTD and other connective tissue disorders offers the following
advantages:
● Help with the depletion of autoaggressive
T Cells and B lymphocytes
●
Differentiate
into cartilage, bone, and other types of connective tissues
●
Reduce
antibodies
● Reverse stromal cell abnormalities
At Plexus, India’s first
ISO-Certified stem cell research centre, we use mesenchymal stem cells to help
the patient manage their symptoms and slow down disease progression. We offer
customised regenerative rehabilitation for a variety of autoimmune conditions,
such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and lupus.
We strongly believe that
early diagnosis followed by immediate treatment will help improve the patient’s
quality life.
What we offer is not just a
ray of hope. It is a burst of sunshine!
Reach out to Team Plexus to know more
about regenerative rehabilitation for connective tissue disorders.
WhatsApp +91 89048 42087
Call +91 78159 64668 (Hyderabad) | +91
82299 99888 (Bangalore)
FAQs
What
is connective tissue deficiency syndrome?
Connective tissues are made of proteins that help in connecting
various organs and organ systems in the body. When the functioning of these
tissues is disrupted, most likely by an autoimmune condition, genetic
predisposition (family history), or other environmental triggers, it leads to
connective tissue disorders.
Is
connective tissue disorder an autoimmune disease?
If a person has an autoimmune condition, they will eventually
also develop connective tissue disorder(s). The latter can be either
autoimmune, genetic, or triggered by environmental factors.
What
are 3 diseases that affect connective tissue?
Autoimmune conditions such psoriasis, lupus, rheumatoid
arthritis, scleroderma, and polymyositis can affect connective tissues.
What
is the most common connective tissue disorder?
Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common type of connective
tissue disorder.
What
organs can connective tissue disease affect?
Typically, connective tissue disorders cause the malfunctioning
of immune cells and inflame the membranes around the joints. They are also
known to affect the eyes, lungs, and heart.
What
is the best exercise for connective tissue disease?
Aerobic exercises coupled with stretching, and strength
training can benefit people with connective tissue diseases.
What
disease destroys connective tissue?
Most autoimmune conditions can damage connective tissues.
However, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can cause inflammation in the
connective tissues of nearly every organ in the body.
Comments
Post a Comment