Connective tissue provides the framework and support for tissues throughout the body, including bones, muscles, blood vessels, and organs. It consists of a variety of proteins, such as collagen and ...

Connective tissue diseases can be genetic or autoimmune. Symptoms may vary by disease and can include pain and fatigue. Each disease has its own treatment options. Connective tissue holds the cells of ...

What Is Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD)? Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) is an autoimmune disorder that shows the features of three different connective tissue disease types: MCTD can ...

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide expert advice on some of the most pressing challenges facing the nation and world. Our ...

African-American patients with connective tissue diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis are twice as likely as white patients to suffer from atherosclerotic blood vessels, which increase the ...

One out of three registered randomized controlled trials on connective tissue diseases are never completed or published, representing a “waste of energy or resources” that may skew meta-analyses, ...

What Is Connective Tissue Disease? Connective tissue disease is a group of disorders involving the protein-rich tissue that supports your organs and other parts of your body. Examples of connective ...

Some cases of MCTD also share symptoms with rheumatoid arthritis. There’s no cure for MCTD, but it can usually be managed with medication and lifestyle changes. Since this disease can affect various ...

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a complex and relatively rare autoimmune disorder. It shares symptoms with lupus, systemic sclerosis, and myositis. MCTD is a challenging condition that can ...