Incidence and Clinical Pattern of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease in Sudanese Patients at Omdurman Military Hospital: Hospital-Based Study

Abstract

Background Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a rare autoimmune disease, characterized by the production of specific autoantibody anti-RNP, which presents with varied overlapping symptoms of different connective tissue disorders. The aim of this study is to identify the frequency and patterns of MCTD. Methods This is a descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted at the rheumatology clinic at Omdurman Military Hospital between February 2019 and July 2019. The study included 30 patients and data were collected using a designated questionnaire. Results The study showed that the majority of patients (96.7%) were females and only 3.3% was male. About 30% of the patients aged between 30 and 39 years were the most affected. As a first diagnosis, 10% of the patients had a MCTD fulfilling the Alarcon-Segovia criteria. The remaining 90% of the patients were diagnosed with other diseases before evolving into MCTD. The most common clinical presentation was arthralgia in 100% of the patients, 90% were symmetrically followed by myositis in 70% of the patients, arthritis in 63.3% of the patients, puffy fingers in 63.3% of the patients, and hand swelling in 60% as major musculoskeletal symptoms. Regarding the initial results in immunological profile, the most common positive autoantibodies among the patients were anti-RNP titer in 96.7% of the patients, ANA in 90%, anti-Sm in 50%, RF in 50%, anti-Ds DNA in 46.7%, and anti-Ro in 43.3%. Conclusion This study showed that MCTD is more common in females, only 10% of patients presented with a fulfilling criteria of the disease at diagnosis, and the rest of the patients presented with other rheumatologic diseases before evolving into MCTD.

Pattern and clinical phenotype of systemic lupus erythematosus among male patients: Hospital‐based study

“…Thus, it seems essential to refine diagnostic criteria and treatment guidelines for these diseases germane to either sex 18 . SLE is a complex autoimmune disease with variable clinical features, 19,20 and it is uncommon in males compared to females, especially during the childbearing years 21 . The reason for the low is unclear 22 .…”

Acute Peritonitis Is Not Always a Surgical Fix: A Rare Case of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease Presenting as Polyserositis

“…Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a rheumatological autoimmune disease, also known as Sharp’s syndrome [ 1 , 2 ]. The disease is characterized by an array of non-specific systemic symptoms that overlap with those of other autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and/or polymyositis, and thus, the main diagnostic feature is the presence of autoantibodies called anti-U1 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) [ 1 ].…”

“…Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a rheumatological autoimmune disease, also known as Sharp’s syndrome [ 1 , 2 ]. The disease is characterized by an array of non-specific systemic symptoms that overlap with those of other autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and/or polymyositis, and thus, the main diagnostic feature is the presence of autoantibodies called anti-U1 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) [ 1 ]. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules and T-cell receptors generate anti-U1-RNP complexes, and thus genetics and inflammatory cascades play a major role in the pathogenesis; however, ultimately, the cause is unknown [ 3 ].…”

“…Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules and T-cell receptors generate anti-U1-RNP complexes, and thus genetics and inflammatory cascades play a major role in the pathogenesis; however, ultimately, the cause is unknown [ 3 ]. MCTD occurs mostly in females between the ages of 30 and 39 years old, with women between the ages of 50 and 65 following close behind [ 1 , 2 ]. There are limited data regarding the epidemiology of MCTD and it is likely underreported, but a nationwide study from Norway in 2011 reported a prevalence of 3.8 per 100,000 adults and an incidence of 2.1 million patients diagnosed annually [ 1 ].…”

Efficacy and Safety of Rituximab Therapy for Lupus Nephritis Among SLE Female Patients; a Retrospective Hospital-Based Study

“…It causes various symptoms and signs, which makes it a challenging condition for clinical diagnosis and treatment, affecting both female-to-males with a ratio of 8–9:1. 1 , 2 New insight into immunopathogenesis provides theories for developing potential clinical biomarkers and therapeutic targets of SLE. 3 One of its most severe manifestations is lupus nephritis (LN) which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.…”