Publication details
Undifferentiated connective tissue disease - long-term monitoring of a patient
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2013 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: The authors describe the course of a connective tissue disease in a woman who has been under the care of our clinic for 15 years. Systemic connective tissue diseases form a group of inflammatory autoimmune diseases. These diseases attack most frequently women ofchildbearing age. Symptom scan be found on the skin, in subcutaneous blood vessels, in the locomotor system, but any organ or system may be affected. In the course of the disease, remission periods frequently alternate with periods of exacerbations. The aim of this communication is to chart the course of the disease and its treatment. MATERIAL & METHODS: The patient was monitored during 15 years by many medical experts for different symptoms. The most important results of both clinical and instrumentation examinations will be described. We also monitored the dynamics of the occurrence of antinuclear antibodies in the patient's serum. We determined ANAs and anti ds-DNA by immunofluorescence technique, anti ENA, anti La, anti Ro, anti Scl-70 and anti DNP antibodies by ELISA. The results of the above tests were used to adjust the overall immunosuppressive therapy of the patient. RESULTS: The introduction of effective therapy averted disease exacerbations and brought the patient into remission. Despite numerous clinical, laboratory and other tests, the patient's diagnosis was not determined precisely, since her condition does not meet the criteria for a well-defined nosological unit of connective tissue diseases, but the patient is ranked among patients with undifferentiated connective tissue diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Effective timely therapy can improve the quality of patient's life. Nevertheless, patient's cooperation with a doctor is necessary, especially in the management of serious diseases. Our case highlights a significant deterioration in the health status of the patient obeying the advice of a healer to omit her immunosuppressive therapy. An interdisciplinary collaboration of medical experts is also necessary. We will continue to monitor the case to clarify the patient's diagnosis. |