undifferentiated connective tissue disease

Clinical manifestations

• most cases are mild
• may have Raynaud's phenomenon & inflammatory arthritis
• over time, may evolve into specific autoimmune disease. most commonly systemic lupus erythematosus

Diagnostic criteria

• syndrome with objective abnormalities that do not meet criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus or other connective tissue disease

Laboratory

• antinuclear antibody may be positive
• SSA/Ro Ab in serum may be positive

Differential diagnosis

• systemic lupus erythematosus
  • choose undifferentiated connective tissue disease if criteria for SLE not met (physical examination findings are normal)*
• other connective tissue disease

* patient may have Raynaud's phenomenon with normal physical examination

Management

• NSAIDs,
• hydroxychloroquine if NSAIDs ineffective

More general terms

• connective tissue disease; soft tissue disease
• syndrome