Links to Online Information about Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

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• The Mayo Clinic Web site has an information page on mixed connective tissue disease that can be found at the following link. Click on The Mayo Clinic to view the information page.
• The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library provides information on this condition for patients and caregivers.
• The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is a federation of more than 130 nonprofit voluntary health organizations serving people with rare disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.

In Depth Information

• Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  Mixed Connective-Tissue Disease
  Pediatric Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
  Dermatologic Manifestations of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
• The Merck Manual for health care professionals provides information on Mixed connective tissue disease.
• Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs.  Access to this database is free of charge.
• PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Mixed connective tissue disease. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8970041
• http://www.medicalcriteria.com/criteria/reu_mctd.htm
• http://www.checkorphan.org/diseases/sharp-syndrome
• https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Antinuclear-Antibodies-ANA

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease:
https://discectomy.net/mixed-connective-tissue-disease/

Clinical Practice Guidelines:
https://rmdopen.bmj.com/content/4/Suppl_1/e000783

*National Center for Advanced Translation Sciences: Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center: citing sources (https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/gard/7051/mixed-connective-tissue-disease/resources/1) (12/29/14)

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Cleveland Clinic, Health Hub, Diseases and Conditions
Website: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic_Mixed_Connective_Tissue_Disease

Mayo Clinic, Discusses RNP Antibodies, IgG, Serum
Website:  http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/81357

National Organization of Rare Diseases, Overview and Comparisons
Website: https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/mixed-connective-tissue-disease-mctd/

MedicineNet.com, MCTD vs UCTD, Explanation of Differences
Website:   http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=16955

MedicineNet.com, Overview of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
Website:   http://www.medicinenet.com/mixed_connective_tissue_disease/article.htm

Mayo Clinic, S.L.E. Overview
Website: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/basics/definition/con-20019676

Cleveland Clinic, General description of S.L.E.
Website: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic_Systemic_Lupus_Erythematosus

NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus, S.L.E. overview with images
Website: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000435.htm

Medscape, General overview of S.L.E. with diagnostic criteria
Website: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/332244-overview

S.L.E. Lupus Foundation, General description with patient stories
Website: http://www.lupusny.org/about-lupus

Yale Daily News, Discusses a new Yale study which may lead to cure for lupus
Website: http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2014/01/21

Medical News Today,  Discusses possible persoanlized treatment plans for autoimmune treatment based on the findings of researchers at the University of Alabama, Birmingham.
Website: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/271456.php

 https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=lupus+skin+rashes&qpvt=lupus+skin+rashes&FORM=IGRE

 https://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/lupus-sun-exposure#12

 GSK: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus:
https://gskpro.com/en-us/therapy-areas/systemic-lupus-erythematosus

Article: Lupus is not curable, but there are ways to manage the disease:
https://www.nbcnews.com/paid-content/paid-content/lupus-not-curable-there-are-ways-manage-disease-n981211

Common Symptoms of Lupus:
https://www.lupus.org/resources/common-symptoms-of-lupus 

The Molly’s Fund Fighting Lupus “Lupus Secrets” Webinar (Video)
https://youtu.be/r0ltTkX_66k

 Lupus Flares Directly Impact Both Quality of Life and Family Life
https://www.lupus.org/news/lupus-flares-directly-impact-both-quality-of-life-and-family-life#

Mayo Clinic, General Description
Website: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/scleroderma/basics/definition/con-20021378

Cleveland Clinic, An Overview
Website: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic_Scleroderma_An_Overview

American College of Rheumatology, General description and treatment options
Website: http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Scleroderma

The Johns Hopkins Scleroderma Center, Understanding Scleroderma
Website: http://www.hopkinsscleroderma.org/scleroderma/

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, Fast Facts
Website: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Scleroderma/scleroderma_ff.asp

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange for the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2397198318758606

Scleroderma Foundation, Patient friendly overview
Website: http://www.scleroderma.org/site/PageNavigator/patients_whatis.html#.VfHmbtJVhBc

Overlapping Conditions in Systemic Sclerosis, From Scleroderma Foundation and Tamiko Katsumoto, M.D.
( watch on YouTube )

Muscular Dystrophy Association, Fighting Muscle Disease, Basics of PM
Website: http://www.mda.org/disease/polymyositis/overview

Cleveland Clinic, Overview
Website: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic_Polymyositis

National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD), Types of PM and overview
Website: https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/polymyositis/

Connective Tissue Disease-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease (CTD-ILD)
https://www.uclahealth.org/ctd-ild/what-is-ctd-ild

Diagnosis and Treatment of Connective Tissue Disease-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3590889/

Pulmonary Fibrosis
https://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/

Primary and Secondary Antiphospholipid Syndrome
https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/antiphospholipid-antibody-syndrome-a-to-z

Raynaud’s Phenomenon
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/raynauds-phenomenon

Vasculitis/Autoimmune Vasculitis
https://www.hss.edu/condition-list_vasculitis.asp

Neurological Complications of Sjogren’s Syndrome:

https://www.hopkinssjogrens.org/disease-information/sjogrens-syndrome/neurologic-complications/

National Fibromyalgia Association, Home
Website: http://www.fmaware.org

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome from VeryWell 

Website: https://www.verywell.com/fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue-4014724 

Fibromyalgia and Itching: 

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315652

Endocanabinoid Deficiency and Fibromyalgia:

https://fibrowomen.com/endocanabinoid-deficiency-leads-to-fibromyalgia-national-pain-foundation-survey/

Arthritis Foundation, Home
Website: http://www.arthritis.org

Tendons and Joints
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-1-908517-55-5_4

Rheumatoid Arthritis Education Center
https://pec.healthination.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-patient-education-center-2/?utm_source=fbpaid&utm_campaign=upa#14

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
National Institutes of Health
Website: http://nccam.nih.gov

 9 Rheumatoid Arthritis Remedies You Probably Haven’t Tried
https://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/rheumatoid-arthritis-remedies-you-probably-havent-tried?ap=facebookadspaid

Yahoo Helminthic Therapy Forum, Description of Helminthic Therapy
Website: http://www.foodsmatter.com/…/intro-helminths-scott.pdf

 Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and Diet:
https://drbonnie360.com/2018/11/09/food-spotlight-on-mixed-connective-tissue-disease/amp/ 

Low-Dose Naltrexone and Dietary Changes for the Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases:
https://naturalchoiceswellness.com/index.php/2016/08/12/dr-mercola-low-dose-naltrexone-and-dietary-changes-for-the-treatment-of-autoimmune-diseases/

Cold and Flu Remedies for the Autoimmune Sufferer:
https://autoimmunewellness.com/cold-and-flu-remedies-for-the-autoimmune-sufferer/

Article: Baking Soda Could Be an Inexpensive, Safe Way to Combat AutoImmune Disease:
https://m.jpost.com/HEALTH-SCIENCE/Drinking-baking-soda-could-be-safe-way-to-combat-autoimmune-disease-552724

What are Nightshades? 
https://plaquepsoriasis.com/living/what-are-nightshades/

What to Eat (and avoid) with Rheumatoid Arthritis:
https://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/what-people-rheumatoid-arthritis-should-and-shouldnt-eat?ap=818

Natural Arthritis Treatments:
https://www.anneangelone.com/natural-arthritis-treatment/ 

The New York Times, How Exercise Can Help Us Sleep Better
Website: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/21

 Everday Health, Autoimmune Disease and Sleep Problems, Madeline Vann, MPH
http://www.everydayhealth.com/autoimmune-disorders/getting-sleep-with-autoimmune-disease.aspx

Sleepdex, Sleep and the Immune System
Website: http://www.sleepdex.org/immune.htm

Revised Retinopathy Screening Guidelines: Hydroxychloroquine, Chloroquine:
https://www.the-rheumatologist.org/article/revised-retinopathy-screening-guidelines-state-risks-linked-hydroxychloroquine-chloroquine/

CDC and FDA Seeking to Clarify Opiate Prescribing Guidelines:
https://reason.com/2019/04/11/seeking-to-clarify-its-opioid-prescribin/

For a comprehensive list of medications used in Rheumatological Disease, please visit the Arthritis Foundation website @ http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/medication/drug-guide/

The following are interesting articles and information found to enhance the basic material available there.

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine)

Description of Hydroxychloroquine including Fast facts and Points to remember.
Website: http://www.rheumatology.org/Practice/Clinical/Patients/Medications/Hydroxychloroquine_(Plaquenil)/

Johns Hopkins Lupus Center provides detailed patient information on Anti-Malarial Drugs
Website: http://www.hopkinslupus.org/?s=plaquenil

http://eyewiki.aao.org/Hydroxychloroquine_toxicity

http://www.retinalphysician.com/articleviewer.aspx?articleid=105383

Opiods

FDA Unveils Sweeping Changes to Opioid Policies – Published in Medscape – February 2016
Article: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/858411?nlid=99105_3901&src=wnl_newsalrt_160204_MSCPEDIT&uac=241180FT&impID=980959&faf=1

Methotrexate

NIH U.S. Library of Medicine, Medline Plus, Overview of methotrexate
Website: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682019.html

NCBI Pub Med, Folic acid and folinic acid for reducing side effects of methotrexate for Rheumatoid Arthritis. A research study.
Website: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23728635

Health Central, How do Biologics Treat RA, Dr. Dana Jerome and Dr.Chris Morris
http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/906496/164787/biologics-ra/?ap=818

http://info.sjogrens.org/conquering-sjogrens/bid/354124/The-Risk-of-Retinal-Toxicity-with-Plaquenil

https://www.hopkinslupus.org/lupus-treatment/lupus-medications/antimalarial-drugs/

https://themighty.com/2019/01/1-10-faces-pain-scale-problem-bad-chronic-pain/?

utm_source=engagement_bar&utm_campaign=post_feed.story_card_full.mobile_fixed_engagement_bar&utm_medium=link

https://hayleydymond.wordpress.com/2019/01/02/but-you-dont-look-sick-living-with-a-chronic-invisible-illness/

How to Support a Loved One With a Chronic Illness
https://themighty.com/2015/07/how-to-support-a-loved-one-with-a-chronic-or-invisible-illness/

https://themighty.com/2016/08/why-i-wont-apologize-for-having-fun-while-sick/

Why I Loathe the Pain Scale as an Adult With Chronic Pain:
https://themighty.com/2019/01/1-10-faces-pain-scale-problem-bad-chronic-pain/?utm_source=engagement_bar&utm_campaign=post_feed.story_card_full.mobile_fixed_engagement_bar&utm_medium=link

“But you don’t look sick”: Living with a chronic, invisible illness:
https://hayleydymond.wordpress.com/2019/01/02/but-you-dont-look-sick-living-with-a-chronic-invisible-illness/

MCTD and Me (Video):
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MT_qLoX3uaY 

Why are Sick People so Grumpy? 
https://www.anneangelone.com/sick-people-grumpy/

Medicine Has A Sexism Problem, And It’s Making Sick Women Sicker
https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5a9e01c4e4b0a0ba4ad72a3c

If you are on Facebook, please join us at MCTD-Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (closed group) where you can ask any question in private and have any number of people around the world answering your questions at any hour of the day or night with their own personal experience.

https://healthresearchfunding.org/mixed-connective-tissue-disease-life-expectancy/ 

National Alliance on Mental Illness
https://www.nami.org/Home

Living with Multiple Health Problems: My Story
https://www.raredisease.org.uk/news-event/living-with-multiple-health-problems-my-story/

Jay’s MCTD Story
https://www.shonalouise.com/2017/03/sunday-stories-jays-mixed-connective.html?m=1

Fight Like a Girl Club: MCTD Stories
https://www.fightlikeagirlclub.com/stories/mixed-connective-tissue-disease-stories/

MCTD Warrior: Open Letter to My Family and Friends
https://mctdwarrior.wordpress.com/2015/08/18/open-letter-to-family-and-friends/amp/

Patient Comments: Mixed Connective Tissue Disease – Experience
https://comments.medicinenet.com/mixed_connective_tissue_disease/patient-comments-5388.htm

Johns Hopkins Lupus Center, Things to Avoid
Website: http://www.hopkinslupus.org/lupus-info/lifestyle-additional-information/avoid/

Livestrong, Melatonin and Autoimmune Disease
Website: http://www.livestrong.com/article/435769-why-cant-i-take-melatonin-because-i-have-an-autoimmune-disease/#page=1

Flowchart Guide to Social Distancing for Rheumatology patients on Immunosuppressants and Steroids

Managing and Preventing Flares 
https://www.lupus.org/resources/the-expert-series-managing-and-preventing-flares# 

Sun and UV Protection in Connective Tissue Disease:
https://www.hss.edu/conditions_sun-protection-connective-tissue-disease.asp

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/geographic-tongue/symptoms-causes/syc-20354396
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/sun-exposure-may-trigger-certain-autoimmune-diseases-women
https://www.diseasemaps.org/mixed-connective-tissue-disease/

Join the Autoimmune Registry
https://www.autoimmuneregistry.org/

Participate in Lupus Clinical Research Studies
http://www.slebrave.com/?p=8334201444

GSK: Lupus Symptom Tracking
https://www.usinlupus.com/symptoms-tracking-kit

Tips for Finding Financial Aid
https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/guides/pages/149/tips-for-finding-financial-aid?fbclid=IwAR1BNRg59q9H9fwn29IuU55kGm8Rlvh7nBsS5AJz6oWW6U2FbEfTj4X6pls

The Pathway to Diagnosis
https://www.lupus.org/resources/the-pathway-to-a-medical-diagnosis

Supplement Security Income (SSI)
https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-apply-ussi.htm

New Lupus Measurement Tools Easy to Use and Effective for Clinical Trials
https://www.lupus.org/news/sspga-and-lfareal-new-lupus-measurement-tools-easy-to-use-and-effective-for-clinical-trials

What is “Collagen Vascular Disease”?
https://www.healthline.com/health/collagen-vascular-disease

Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, and Overlap Syndromes in Rheumatology
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6139943/

Gut Bacteria Drive Autoimmune Disease
https://news.yale.edu/2018/03/08/enemy-within-gut-bacteria-drive-autoimmune-disease

Stress and Autoimmunity
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2685155

Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5576607/

New Lupus Drug in Development
https://lupusnewstoday.com/2019/06/19/ustekinumab-reduces-severe-flares-in-patients-with-active-sle-trial-shows/

COVID-19 and Autoimmune Disease
https://www.autoimmuneinstitute.org/covid-19-autoimmune-disease-what-we-know-now/

Autoimmune Experiments Switch Immune Cells From Attacking The Body to Protecting It
https://www.sciencealert.com/researchers-switched-rogue-white-blood-cells-from-attacking-the-body-to-protecting-it

Discovery of Gene Associated with 20 Autoimmune Diseases Leads to Promising Drug Trials
https://www.google.com/amp/s/theconversation.com/amp/discovery-of-gene-associated-with-20-autoimmune-diseases-leads-to-promising-drug-trials-131957

Gender and Ocular Manifestations of Connective Tissue Diseases
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/joph/2014/403042/

Light Sensitivity and Dizziness
https://www.theraspecs.com/blog/light-sensitivity-and-dizziness/

Spontaneous biceps tendon rupture in a patient with mixed connective tissue disease
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4400687/

Autoimmune Connective Tissue Diseases and the Risk of Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6398915/

Esophageal Disorders in Mixed Connective Tissue Diseases
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4863503/