Connective Tissue Diseases

Sjögren syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune, inflammatory condition where glandular tissues, such as the salivary and lacrimal glands, are infiltrated by lymphocytes, resulting in decreased tear and saliva production. The disease mainly affects middle-aged women, and is associated with other autoimmune conditions. Patients may experience symptoms and complications related to dry eyes and mouth. There is a wide range of extraglandular manifestations, including Raynaud's phenomenon, neuropathy, and cutaneous vasculitis. Patients are also at an increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Diagnosis is based on the presence of symptoms, and is validated by the clinical examination, serologic studies, or salivary gland biopsy. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to manage patients and targets symptomatic relief, with immunosuppressive therapy reserved for severe symptoms.

Rheumatic diseases are related to or caused by an abnormal immune response that commonly involves autoantibodies. The detection of these autoantibodies in the laboratory evaluation of a patient suspected to have a rheumatic disease can help in confirming the diagnosis and monitor the prognosis or response to treatment in rheumatic diseases.

Diseases of the lung are classified as obstructive lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cystic fibrosis, and restrictive lung diseases.

The autoimmune disease lupus erythematosus belongs to the collagenoses and can show very different clinical symptoms: The symptoms range from mild conditions to severe organ manifestations which makes the diagnosis not easy sometimes. Read all the important facts about lupus erythematosus here to be prepared for the exam and the subsequent medical daily routine.

The form circle of rheumatic inflammatory systemic diseases includes a number of diseases, whose etiology is mostly unknown. Due to the fact that specific antibodies are often found, diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis are considered autoimmune diseases. Therefore, the diagnosis of antibodies plays a significant role in the diagnosis of rheumatic diseases. The following article features two diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and Still's disease, both from the rheumatic disease form circle.