Connective tissue disease
In collagen ( connective tissue ) is a diverse group of certain autoimmune diseases, which take place in systemic infection primarily of connective tissue and blood vessels. In principle, any organ can be affected. A role in the diagnostic process play organ non-specific autoantibodies to nuclear material ( antinuclear antibodies). The cause of the tissue diseases is still unclear. For many there is a connection with hereditary factors, such as HLA antigens, hormones ( women are affected more often ), psychological stress, viruses and sunlight. It is not clear whether the antinuclear antibodies cause, consequence or corollary are the disease. Many connective tissue diseases have similar symptoms, which is why they are often not diagnosed until the disease progresses.
Among the connective tissue diseases include:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE )
- Polymyositis and dermatomyositis
- Sjogren's Syndrome
- Scleroderma
- CREST syndrome
- Sharp syndrome (so-called mixed connective tissue disease )
Tissue diseases can be treated with immunosuppressive drugs.