bone, joint, and muscle disorders
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD)
Treatment of MCTD
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antimalarial drugs, or very low doses of corticosteroids for mild illness Corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs for moderate to severe illness Other treatments as needed for other symptoms The treatment of mixed connective tissue disease is similar to that of lupus, systemic sclerosis, and autoimmune myositis. Corticosteroids are usually effective, especially when the disease is diagnosed early. Mild cases can be treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antimalarial drugs (such ashydroxychloroquineorchloroquine), or very low doses of corticosteroids. The more severe the disease, the higher the dose of corticosteroid needed. In moderate to severe cases, immunosuppressive drugs (such asazathioprine,methotrexate, ormycophenolatemofetil) may also be needed. People whose major organs are severely affected usually require higher doses of corticosteroids and additional immunosuppressive drugs. In general, the more advanced the disease and the greater the organ damage, the less effective the treatment. Systemic sclerosis–like damage to the skin and esophagus is least likely to respond to treatment. People who develop Autoimmune Myositis or People who take corticosteroids are at risk of fractures related to Osteoporosis . To prevent osteoporosis, these people are given the drugs used to treat osteoporosis, such as (see Prevention ) and vaccines against common infections such as People who have mixed connective tissue disease are at increased risk of Atherosclerosis , are closely monitored by doctors, and are treated for specific symptoms and complications of atherosclerosis as they occur. Doctors monitor people with mixed connective tissue disease for pulmonary hypertension by doing Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) , 