Connective Tissue Diseases (Connective Tissue Disease)

A heterogeneous group of disorders, some hereditary, others acquired, characterized by abnormal structure or function of one or more of the elements of connective tissue, i.e., collagen, elastin, or the mucopolysaccharides.

Also Known As:

Networked: 2260 relevant articles (62 outcomes, 194 trials/studies)

Relationship Network

Disease Context: Research Results

Related Diseases

1.	Heart Diseases (Heart Disease)
2.	Systemic Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis)
3.	Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Libman-Sacks Disease)
4.	Osteoporosis
5.	Dermatomyositis (Dermatopolymyositis)

Experts

1.	Barst, Robyn J: 17 articles (11/2010 - 03/2002)
2.	Kuwana, Masataka: 12 articles (01/2015 - 12/2003)
3.	Mimori, Tsuneyo: 11 articles (01/2015 - 02/2002)
4.	Humbert, Marc: 11 articles (12/2013 - 01/2004)
5.	Rubin, Lewis J: 9 articles (03/2014 - 03/2002)
6.	McLaughlin, Joseph K: 9 articles (05/2011 - 01/2002)
7.	Mouthon, Luc: 8 articles (10/2015 - 06/2005)
8.	Hassoun, Paul M: 8 articles (12/2014 - 06/2009)
9.	Simonneau, Gérald: 8 articles (03/2014 - 08/2004)
10.	Doria, A: 8 articles (07/2011 - 05/2000)

Drugs and Biologics

Drugs and Important Biological Agents (IBA) related to Connective Tissue Diseases:

1.	Idiopathic pulmonary hypertensionIBA 11/01/2015 - "Studies suggest that patients with connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CTD-PAH) have a poorer treatment response to therapies for PAH compared with patients with idiopathic PAH (IPAH), but individual randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been underpowered to examine differences within these subgroups. " 01/01/2013 - "Pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with connective tissue disease: meta-analysis of clinical trials." 11/01/2008 - "To study the epidemiology, clinical characteristics and prognosis of children with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) secondary to connective tissue disease (CTD). " 06/01/2007 - "In conclusion, our study highlights the fact that pulmonary arterial hypertension complicating the course of connective tissue diseases may be characterized by a more frequent involvement of pulmonary veins and may thus explain why these patients are less prone to respond to specific pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment as compared with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension." 07/01/2005 - "The prevalence of undiagnosed pulmonary arterial hypertension in subjects with connective tissue disease at the secondary health care level of community-based rheumatologists (the UNCOVER study)."
2.	bosentan (Tracleer)FDA Link 02/01/2007 - "An improvement in AQOL measures at 3 months was also noted for patients with baseline WHO Functional Class III. Bosentan significantly improves quality of life in patients with idiopathic PAH or PAH associated with connective tissue diseases." 09/01/2006 - "Long-term treatment with bosentan was effective in improving exercise capacity and pulmonary haemodynamics in patients with PAH related to connective tissue diseases." 01/01/2007 - "This review critically appraises the evidence for the efficacy of bosentan in idiopathic and familial PAH, in PAH associated with connective tissue disease and in PAH which may develop in association with other conditions. " 02/01/2007 - "The VITAL study assessed the effect of bosentan on quality of life in patients with WHO Functional Class III or IV PAH (idiopathic or associated with connective tissue diseases). " 09/01/2008 - "A total of 53 patients with PAH related to connective tissue diseases (PAH-CTD) in World Health Organization (WHO) functional class III received bosentan 62.5 mg twice a day for 4 weeks and then 125 mg twice a day for 44 weeks in this open non-comparative study. "
3.	sildenafil (Viagra)FDA Link 01/01/2008 - "Oral sildenafil 20 mg three times daily added to conventional background therapy was significantly more effective than placebo at increasing exercise capacity in patients with idiopathic PAH or PAH associated with connective tissue diseases or repaired congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunts. " 01/01/2010 - "When added to standard background therapy in patients with idiopathic or associated PAH from congenital heart disease, anorexigen use, or connective tissue disease, sildenafil treatment results in improved exercise capacity as measured by 6 minute walk distance, improved hemodynamics, and favorable changes in quality of life. " 01/01/2007 - "Analysis of results of randomized controlled studies assessing efficacy and safety of sildenafil in patients with primary (idiopathic) PAH and PAH associated with connective tissue diseases and congenital heart diseases with systemic-to-pulmonary shunts is presented." 11/01/2007 - "Sildenafil is a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), and has been shown to improve 6-minute walk distance (SMWD) and World Health Organization (WHO) functional class in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (iPAH) and PAH associated with connective tissue disease or with repaired congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunts. " 11/17/2005 - "In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we randomly assigned 278 patients with symptomatic pulmonary arterial hypertension (either idiopathic or associated with connective-tissue disease or with repaired congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunts) to placebo or sildenafil (20, 40, or 80 mg) orally three times daily for 12 weeks. "
4.	AntibodiesIBA 01/01/2006 - "However, our knowledge on the pathogenesis of connective tissue diseases and the mechanisms of action of various antibodies is increasing, enabling improved disease control and reduction of adverse pregnancy outcomes. " 09/01/1997 - "ACA were present in 5% and anti-Scl-70 antibodies were present in 2% of patients with other connective tissue diseases, but fewer than 1% of disease free controls had either antibody present. " 01/01/2010 - "The purpose of the present study was to determine the frequency of thyroid antibodies in children referred to a pediatric rheumatology center for a positive ANA without evidence of a connective tissue disease. " 01/01/2010 - "Previous studies regarding adult rheumatology patients have supported an association between ANA and anti-thyroid antibodies, with the prevalence of thyroid antibodies being significantly higher in patients referred to a rheumatology center for an ANA without evidence of connective tissue disease compared to the general population. " 03/01/2007 - "Data from recent experimental studies promote the hypothesis that U1-RNP antibodies participate in both innate and adaptive immune responses, implicating them in the pathogenesis of connective tissue disease."
5.	Antinuclear AntibodiesIBA 04/01/1996 - "Both the antinuclear antibody and extractable nuclear antibody tests are helpful in diagnosing connective tissue diseases. " 08/01/2009 - "The purpose of this study was to characterize the clinical and serological features of a large cohort of patients with antinuclear antibody (ANA) positive undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD). " 11/01/2008 - "To ascertain the development of disease in a cohort of connective tissue disease (CTD)-negative patients 10 years after testing positive for antinuclear antibody (ANA) in high titer, a telephone survey and serological tests were conducted on a group of CTD-negative patients with high ANA titer identified in a previous study. " 01/01/1989 - "By indirect immunofluorescence studies of antinuclear antibodies on hamster liver imprints as a substrate performed to determine the nuclear staining pattern of sera from patients with connective tissue diseases 10 sera showed a distinct homogeneous nucleolar staining pattern associated with weaker speckled or homogeneous nucleoplasmic fluorescence. " 06/01/1987 - "A study of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) among Thai patients with various connective tissue diseases revealed that the prevalence of ANA was similar to that in other countries, but that the ANA patterns showed interesting contrasts in most diseases. "
6.	Epoprostenol (Prostacyclin)FDA LinkGeneric 06/01/1999 - "Short-term epoprostenol therapy is effective in some patients with connective tissue diseases as demonstrated by better clinical status and haemodynamics at six weeks. " 03/01/2005 - "Finally, we will consider the therapeutic role of prostacyclin analogs in the prevention and treatment of connective tissue diseases." 06/01/1999 - "Additional information is needed to evaluate the benefit: risk ratio of long-term epoprostenol therapy in pulmonary hypertension secondary to connective tissue diseases." 06/01/1999 - "Short-term and long-term epoprostenol (prostacyclin) therapy in pulmonary hypertension secondary to connective tissue diseases: results of a pilot study." 07/01/1998 - "Treatment of severe pulmonary hypertension secondary to connective tissue diseases with continuous IV epoprostenol (prostacyclin)."
7.	Etidronic Acid (HEDP)FDA LinkGeneric 12/01/2003 - "These results indicate that intermittent cyclical etidronate therapy is effective for the prevention and treatment of corticosteroid induced osteoporosis in patients with connective tissue diseases." 01/01/2008 - "Our results indicate that longterm (up to 7 years) intermittent cyclical etidronate therapy is safe and effective for prevention and treatment of corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis in patients with connective tissue diseases." 01/01/2000 - "Efficacy of intermittent etidronate therapy for corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis in patients with diffuse connective tissue disease." 01/01/2008 - "Longterm effect of intermittent cyclical etidronate therapy on corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis in Japanese patients with connective tissue disease: 7-year followup." 12/01/2003 - "Effect of intermittent cyclical etidronate therapy on corticosteroid induced osteoporosis in Japanese patients with connective tissue disease: 3 year followup."
8.	beta-cyclodextrin tetradecasulfate (CTDS)IBA 10/01/2013 - "In this study, we have characterized CD146 expression in circulating T cells from healthy controls and patients with stable, well-controlled autoimmune connective tissue diseases (CTDs). " 08/01/2013 - "The purpose of this study was to evaluate the roles of quantitative nailfold capillaroscopy in differential diagnosis of connective tissue diseases (CTDs) with RP. " 04/01/2013 - "In other connective tissue diseases (CTDs) prospective clinical studies resulting in indices which can predict future clinical complications have not been published, as yet." 01/01/2013 - "Our study indicates that increased serum type I IFN activity in early SSc patients is associated with an antibody and laboratory profile that may reflect a subclinical overlap of SSc with other type I IFN-driven connective tissue diseases (CTDs)." 10/01/2015 - "The connective tissue diseases (CTDs) are a group of systemic disorders characterized by autoimmunity and autoimmune-mediated organ damage. "
9.	sitaxsentanIBA 11/01/2004 - "In its first randomised, placebo-controlled study, Sitaxsentan to Relieve Impaired Exercise-1 (STRIDE-1), sitaxsentan improved exercise capacity assessed by 6 min walk, New York Heart Association functional class, cardiac index and pulmonary vascular resistance in New York Heart Association class II, III and IV patients with idiopathic PAH, PAH related to connective tissue disease or PAH related to congenital heart disease. " 03/01/2009 - "Further evaluation of sitaxsentan in patients with connective tissue diseases suffering from ischemic skin ulcers is required." 01/01/2007 - "Forty-eight patients with idiopathic PAH or PAH associated with connective-tissue disease or congenital heart disease were randomized (double-blind) to a single daily dose of either 50 mg or 100 mg sitaxsentan. " 05/01/2008 - "Is sitaxsentan a good therapeutic option for pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with connective tissue disease?" 11/01/2005 - "In its first randomized, placebo-controlled study, sitaxsentan improved exercise capacity assessed by the 6-min walk test, New York Heart Association functional class, cardiac index and pulmonary vascular resistance in New York Heart Association Class II, III and IV patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary arterial hypertension related to connective tissue disease or congenital heart disease. "
10.	Iloprost (Ventavis)FDA Link 02/01/2004 - "Safety and efficacy of iloprost for the treatment of ischaemic digits in paediatric connective tissue diseases." 10/01/2011 - "Long-term effects of intermittent Iloprost infusion on pulmonary arterial pressure in connective tissue disease." 02/01/2004 - "We analysed our experience with the use of iloprost for the treatment of critical ischaemic digits (ID) in children with connective tissue diseases (CTD) in order to assess its safety and efficacy. " 11/01/1991 - "A double blind, randomised, multicentre comparison of two doses of intravenous iloprost in the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon secondary to connective tissue diseases." 06/01/1991 - "One hundred and twenty seven patients who had Raynaud's attacks secondary to connective tissue disease received intravenous infusions of iloprost in controlled clinical trials. "

Therapies and Procedures

1.	Prostheses and Implants (Prosthesis) 06/01/2010 - "Breast prostheses and connective tissue disease (CTD): myth or reality?" 03/01/2002 - "Our findings suggest that the risk of connective-tissue diseases is not higher in patients wearing prostheses as the ANA is negative and there is no apparent manifestation suggestive of connective-tissue diseases." 03/01/2002 - "To help clarifying the possibility of connective-tissue diseases in men with penile or testicular prostheses. " 06/01/2000 - "Connective tissue disease and other related rheumatic conditions among patients with finger and hand and temporomandibular joint prostheses in Denmark." 02/28/1992 - "Although evidence of a causal relationship between the implantation and the development of connective tissue disease is circumstantial, removal of the silicone prosthesis has been reported to result in subsequent remission."
2.	Phototherapy (Light Therapy) 07/01/2015 - "A MEDLINE search was conducted to find articles that discuss treatment of connective-tissue diseases with light therapies and more than 30 publications that discuss light therapy for these diseases were identified. " 07/01/2015 - "Phototherapy, photodynamic therapy and photophoresis in the treatment of connective-tissue diseases: a review." 09/20/2004 - "UVA/UVA1 phototherapy and PUVA photochemotherapy in connective tissue diseases and related disorders: a research based review." 07/01/2015 - "Although there is a known association between photosensitivity and connective-tissue diseases, light therapies, when used appropriately, may be legitimate therapeutic options for recalcitrant cutaneous manifestations in lupus erythematosus, morphoea/scleroderma and dermatomyositis. " 09/01/1999 - "The constantly increasing use of UVA-1 phototherapy has not only improved UVA phototherapy for established indications such as atopic dermatitis (Krutmann et al, 1992a, 1998; Krutmann, 1996), but has also provided dermatologists with the opportunity to successfully treat previously untractable skin diseases, e.g., connective tissue diseases (Stege et al, 1997; Krutmann, 1997). "
3.	Transplants (Transplant) 03/01/2002 - "Eight out of the 11 acute patients had chronic hemolytic disorder as the underlying disease while, the 3 other patients were organ transplant and connective tissue disease patients. " 07/01/1965 - "CONNECTIVE-TISSUE DISEASE AND RHEUMATOID FACTORS IN PATIENTS WITH RENAL TRANSPLANTS." 12/01/2006 - "This case highlights the pitfalls of stent-graft repair in a patient with presumed connective tissue disease." 09/01/1986 - "This article examines contraception in adolescents with hematologic, oncologic, dermatologic, and psychiatric disorders, connective tissue diseases, and renal disease and transplants. " 06/01/2015 - "The lung transplant clinic established a prospective protocol to identify short telomeres in patients with ILD not related to connective tissue disease or sarcoidosis. "
4.	Aftercare (After-Treatment) 04/01/2001 - "We evaluated the plasma concentrations of soluble adhesion molecules, platelet activation markers, and platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) in patients with connective tissue diseases who had secondary hyperlipidemia caused by long-term steroid administration (n = 22) before and after treatment with bezafibrate. " 04/01/1999 - "This report concerns two Filipino women, one with dermatomyositis, the other with undifferentiated connective tissue disease, who showed significant reduction of widespread calcinosis after treatment with diltiazem." 05/01/2006 - "We report the case of female patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who, after treatment with terbinafine, presented a Stevens Johnson syndrome eruption, together with renal exacerbation of her connective tissue disease. " 05/01/1979 - "Urinary neutral oligosaccharides of various connective tissue diseases were studied by gel-filtration through Sephadex G--10 after treatments with cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), Dowex 50 (H+ form) and Dowex 1 (Cl- form), in succession. "
5.	Angioplasty (Angioplasty, Transluminal) 01/01/2011 - "In addition, pulmonary angioplasty and intensive immunosuppressive therapy may be effective for CTEPH and connective tissue disease-associated PAH, respectively. "