Connective tissue diseases

Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 51. Chapters: Rheumatoid arthritis, Systemic scleroderma, Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome, Sjögren's syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Silicosis, Dermatomyositis, Gerodermia osteodysplastica, Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, Morphea, Parry-Romberg syndrome, Mixed connective tissue disease, Ifi202, Toxic oil syndrome, Scleredema, Relapsing polychondritis, Linear atrophoderma of Moulin, Discoid lupus erythematosus, CREST syndrome, Winchester syndrome, Childhood dermatomyositis, Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, Tumid lupus erythematosus, Atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini, Frontal linear scleroderma, Chilblain lupus erythematosus, Lupus erythematosus panniculitis, Lupus erythematosus-lichen planus overlap syndrome, Rowell's syndrome, Localized morphea, Progressive systemic sclerosis, Palisaded neutrophilic and granulomatous dermatitis, Methotrexate-induced papular eruption, Rheumatoid nodulosis, Morphea profunda, Mouth and genital ulcers with inflamed cartilage syndrome, Childhood systemic lupus erythematosus, Neonatal lupus erythematosus, Symmetric seronegative polyarthritis, Normophosphatemic familial tumoral calcinosis, Nodulosis-arthropathy-osteolysis syndrome, Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis, Verrucous lupus erythematosus, Morphea-lichen sclerosus et atrophicus overlap, Nicolau-Balus syndrome, Generalized morphea, Rupus, Pansclerotic morphea, Still's disease. Excerpt: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks synovial joints. The process produces an inflammatory response of the synovium (synovitis) secondary to hyperplasia of synovial cells, excess synovial fluid, and the development of pannus in the synovium. The pathology of the disease process often leads to the destruction of articular cartilage and ankylosis of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can also produce diffuse inflammation in the lungs, pericardium, pleura, and sclera, and also nodular lesions, most common in subcutaneous tissue. Although the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, autoimmunity plays a pivotal role in both its chronicity and progression, and RA is considered a systemic autoimmune disease. About 1% of the world's population is afflicted by rheumatoid arthritis, women three times more often than men. Onset is most frequent between the ages of 40 and 50, but people of any age can be affected. It can be a disabling and painful condition, which can lead to substantial loss of functioning and mobility if not adequately treated. It is a clinical diagnosis made on the basis of symptoms, physical exam, radiographs (X-rays) and labs, although the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) publish diagnostic guidelines. Diagnosis and long-term management are typically performed by a rheumatologist, an expert in joint, muscle and bone diseases. Various treatments are available. Non-pharmacological treatment includes physical therapy, orthoses, occupational therapy and nutritional therapy but do not stop progression of joint destruction. Analgesia (painkillers) and anti-inflammatory drugs, including steroids, are used to suppress the symptoms, while disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are required to inhibit or halt the underlying immune process and prevent long-term damage. In recent times, the newer group of b