A connective tissue disease is any disease that affects the parts of the body that connect the structures of the body together.

Connective tissues are made up of two proteins: collagen and elastin. Collagen is a protein found in the tendons, ligaments, skin, cornea, cartilage, bone and blood vessels. Elastin is a stretchy protein that resembles a rubber band and is the major component of ligaments and skin. When a patient has a connective tissue disease, the collagen and elastin are inflamed. The proteins and the body parts they connect are harmed.

Different types of connective  tissue diseases :

• Churg-Strauss Syndrome: A type of autoimmune vasculitis that affects cells in the blood vessels of the lungs, gastrointestinal system, skin and nerves.
• Microscopic Polyangiitis: An autoimmune disease that affects cells in blood vessels in organs throughout the body. This is a rare condition.
• Polymyositis/dermatomyositis: A disease characterized by inflammation and degeneration of the muscles. When the condition also affects the skin, it’s called dermatomyositis.
• Mixed connective tissue disease, also called the Sharp syndrome: A condition that has some, but not all, features of various connective tissue diseases, such as SLE, scleroderma, and polymyositis. MCTD may also have features of Raynaud’s syndrome.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: It  is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, which means that your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake, causing inflammation in the affected parts of the body. 

Diagnosis

Your doctor may order various tests depending on what type of connective tissue disorder is suspected. The doctor will first ask for your medical history, a family history, and will do a physical examination. Further tests may include:

• Imaging tests, such as X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging scans.
• Tests for markers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein and Erythrocyte sedimentation rate .
• Tests for antibodies, especially for autoimmune conditions.
• Tests for dry eyes or dry mouth.
• Blood and urine tests.
• Tissue biopsy.

Treatment

Because there are so many different types of connective tissue disorders, the treatments will vary depending on the person and the disease. Treatments might include vitamin supplements, physical therapy, and medications. You will probably have a regular schedule of appointments with your doctor. You might be asked to consult with specialists, such as eye doctors or dermatologists, depending on what type of connective tissue disorder you have.

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Best Regards

Eliza Grace

Journal Manager

Journal of Surgical Pathology and Diagnosis