10 MCTD Symptoms

By adr.ian

Reviewed: dr. vanta

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. 'Mixed Connective Tissue Disease.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2 June 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mixed-connective-tissue-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375152
• 2. Team, Wellness. '5 Ways to Fight Fatigue With Food.' Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic, 19 Aug. 2020, health.clevelandclinic.org/5-ways-to-fight-fatigue-with-food/
• 3. 'Mixed Connective Tissue Disease.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2 June 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mixed-connective-tissue-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20375147.
• 4. 'Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD).' NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders), 5 July 2017, rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/mixed-connective-tissue-disease-mctd/
• 5. Nugent, Caitlin C. 'H2 Blockers.' StatPearls /[Internet/]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 20 Mar. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525994/

Medical Expert

More About Us

MCTD, or mixed connective tissue disease, is a rare autoimmune disorder of which the exact cause is unknown. Many common MCTD symptoms overlap with those of other connective tissue disorders, such as myositis, which is a progressive inflammation of the muscles. Although there's no known cure for MCTD, it may be managed with certain medications and lifestyle changes.¹‘Mixed Connective Tissue Disease.’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2 June 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mixed-connective-tissue-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375152

The disease can affect various organs, including the skin, muscles, lungs, digestive system and joints. Depending on the body systems involved, the symptoms can range from moderate to severe. MCTD symptoms can include skin rashes, painful joints, digestive issues, fatigue and swollen hands, among others.

Joint Pain

Joint pain is something almost everyone with MCTD endures to some degree, and the pain may increase in severity when MCTD flares up. It can occur in multiple joints, including the shoulders, hips, knees and elbows.

Arthritis is another common cause of joint pain, but it can also result from other illnesses or injuries. Other possible causes are gout, lupus and bursitis, an inflammation of the cushioning pads around a person's joints. A person should see a doctor if the pain lasts more than three days or if the area around the joint is swollen or tender.