A chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a term used to describe overlapping groups of collagen diseases that cannot be individually categorized as one of the specific disorders. MCTD is characterized by symptoms including muscle weakness and pain in the joints. There may be other symptoms relating to disorders of the heart, lungs, and skin. Kidney disease and a dysfunction of the esophagus, including swallowing problems, may be associated with the abnormalities in the body.
A rare disease that combines the signs and symptoms of several connective tissue diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, and/or polymyositis. The cause is unknown.