
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions β written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Undifferentiated connective tissue disease physical examination
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Patients with UCTD usually appear well but can present with low-grade fever, Raynaud’s phenomenon, rash and Erythema nodosum. On HEENT examination, Conjunctivitis, Uveitis, Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, dry-mouth can be seen. In the neck, lymphadenopathy can be seen. Rhonchi, Wheezing, pleural friction rub and Pericardial friction rub can be heard on auscultation. On examining abdomen, tenderness in the right/left upper/lower abdominal quadrant and hepatomegaly may be noted. In the back, tenderness over the lumbar vertebrae can occur and sacral edema may be seen. Rash can be seen in the genitourinary exam. The patient can have altered mental status with psychosis and peripheral neuropathy and pitting/non-pitting edema of the lower extremities.
Physical Examination
Physical Examination
- The presence of following findings on physical examination is highly suggestive of undifferentiated connective tissue disease(UCTD):[1][2][3]
Appearance of the Patient
- Patients with UCTD usually appear well..
Vital Signs
- Low-grade fever
Skin
HEENT
Neck
- Lymphadenopathy (describe location, size, tenderness, mobility, and symmetry)
Lungs
- Rhonchi
- Wheezing may be present
- Pleural friction rub
Heart
Abdomen
- Abdominal tenderness in the right/left upper/lower abdominal quadrant
- Rebound tenderness
- Hepatomegaly
Back
- Tenderness over lumbar vertebrae can occur
- Sacral edema may be seen
Genitourinary
- Rashes can be seen
Neuromuscular
- Altered mental status with psychosis
- Peripheral neuropathy
Extremities
- Pitting/non-pitting edema of the lower extremities.
References
References
- β Bodolay E, Csiki Z, Szekanecz Z, Ben T, Kiss E, Zeher M, SzΓΌcs G, DankΓ³ K, Szegedi G (2003). “Five-year follow-up of 665 Hungarian patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD)”. Clin. Exp. Rheumatol. 21 (3): 313β20. PMIDΒ 12846049.
- β Mosca M, Tani C, Neri C, Baldini C, Bombardieri S (November 2006). “Undifferentiated connective tissue diseases (UCTD)”. Autoimmun Rev. 6 (1): 1β4. doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2006.03.004. PMIDΒ 17110308.
- β Mosca M, Neri R, Bombardieri S (1999). “Undifferentiated connective tissue diseases (UCTD): a review of the literature and a proposal for preliminary classification criteria”. Clin. Exp. Rheumatol. 17 (5): 615β20. PMIDΒ 10544849.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:
