Connective Tissue Disease

The term connective tissue diseaseConnective tissue disease (and sometimes collagen vascular disease) refersCollagen vascular diseaseConnective tissue disease to the autoimmune spectra of lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatomyositis, Sjögren’s, and scleroderma. This category reviews all of these entities, but also includes other diseases that affect the connective tissues with relevance to dermatology. A number of non-specific clinical findings may suggest the possibility of autoimmune connective tissue disease. These include: Raynaud’s phenomenon, non-scarring alopecia, livedo reticularis, pericuticular erythema, telangiectasias, palpable purpuraPalpable purpura/vasculitis (leukocytoclasticLeukocytoclastic vasculitis vasculitisVasculitisleukocytoclastic vasculitis) (strongest association with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis).