Undifferentiated connective tissue disease physical examination

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.

• The presence of following findings on physical examination is highly suggestive of undifferentiated connective tissue disease(UCTD):^[1][2][3]

• Patients with UCTD usually appear well..

• Low-grade fever

• Raynaud’s phenomenon
• Rash
• Erythema nodosum

• Conjunctivitis
• Uveitis
• Keratoconjunctivitis sicca
• Dry-mouth

• Lymphadenopathy (describe location, size, tenderness, mobility, and symmetry)

• Rhonchi
• Wheezing may be present
• Pleural friction rub

• Pericardial friction rub

• Abdominal tenderness in the right/left upper/lower abdominal quadrant
• Rebound tenderness
• Hepatomegaly

• Tenderness over lumbar vertebrae can occur
• Sacral edema may be seen

• Rashes can be seen

• Altered mental status with psychosis
• Peripheral neuropathy

• Pitting/non-pitting edema of the lower extremities.

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