Mixed connective tissue disease medical therapy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shaghayegh Habibi, M.D.[2]

The treatment of patients with MCTD depends on type of internal organ involvement, phase of the disease, and rate of disease progression. Treatment strategies must follow conventional treatments that are used for similar problems in other rheumatic diseases (SLE, scleroderma, polymyositis). Usually the treatment of patients with MCTD include low doses of steroids, NSAIDs, immunosuppressive drugs, and biologic agents. The treatment options in refractory cases or in severe clinical conditions include immunoglobulins, cytotoxic agents, and biologic drugs.

• The treatment of patients with MCTD depends on:^[1]
  • Type of Internal organ involvement
  • Phase of the disease
  • Rate of disease progression
• Treatment strategies must follow conventional treatments of similar problems in other rheumatic diseases (SLE, scleroderma, polymyositis).^[2]
  • For more information about treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus, click here.
  • For more information about treatment of scleroderma, click here.
  • For more information about treatment of polymyositis, click here.
• Usually the treatment of patients with MCTD include:^[1]
  • Low doses of steroids
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Immunosuppressive drugs
  • Biologic agents (monoclonal antibodies)
• The treatment options in refractory cases or in severe clinical conditions include:^[3]
  • Immunoglobulins
  • Cytotoxic agents (such as cyclophosphamide)
  • Biologic drugs
• Plasmapheresis combined with rituximab (a monoclonal antibody anti-CD20 which can modulate the disease activity) may be a treatment option.

Template:WH Template:WS