Living with Mixed connective tissue disease
A rare autoimmune condition with features of lupus, scleroderma, and polymyositis, affecting joints, skin, lungs, and other organs.
Understanding Mixed connective tissue disease
Some people also have symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Signs vary but may include Raynaud's phenomenon (fingers that turn white or blue in the cold), arthritis, heart, lung, and skin problems, kidney disease, muscle weakness, and problems with the esophagus. It can begin from childhood to adulthood.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Raynaud's phenomenon
- Joint pain, swelling, and arthritis
- Fatigue and fever
- Muscle aches and inflammation
- Shortness of breath and chest pain
- Dry eyes and dry mouth
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include autoimmune and inflammatory disease specialists, brain and nervous system specialists, kidney specialists and lung and breathing specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Autoimmune Association, Global Autoimmune Institute and National Scleroderma Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- autoimmune and inflammatory disease specialists (rheumatologists); Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Kidney specialists (nephrologists); Lung and breathing specialists (pulmonologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Autoimmune Association, Global Autoimmune Institute, National Scleroderma Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Autoimmune Association and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says the cause of MCTD is currently unknown.
Also known as: connective tissue disease overlap syndrome; mctd; mctd - mixed connective tissue disease; mixed collagen vascular disease; sharp syndrome; sharp's syndrome
Patient organizations
- Autoimmune AssociationMixed connective tissue disease · United States
- Global Autoimmune InstituteMixed connective tissue disease · United States
- Lupus Foundation of AmericaMixed connective tissue disease · United States
- National Scleroderma FoundationMixed connective tissue disease · United States
- The Myositis AssociationMixed connective tissue disease · United States
- Arthritis FoundationMixed connective tissue disease · United States
- The International Foundation for Autoimmune & Autoinflammatory ArthritisMixed connective tissue disease · United States
- National Kidney FoundationKidney diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Mixed connective tissue disease.
Explore research for Mixed connective tissue disease
Explore actively recruiting Mixed connective tissue disease studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Mixed connective tissue disease with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper
I can help you find recruiting Mixed connective tissue disease studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
Get Signals for Mixed connective tissue disease
Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.
Create a living journal that talks back
HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Mixed connective tissue disease experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.
Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.