Does this patient have undifferentiated connective tissue disease? Undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) is a term suggested by LeRoy 30 years ago to denote autoimmune disease that does not meet criteria for established illnesses such as systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, dermatomyositis, Sjogren’s syndrome, vasculitis, or rheumatoid arthritis. The population generally affected comprises young females, similar…
Does this patient have drug-induced lupus? Drug-induced lupus (DIL) has been recognized for over half a century. For practical purposes, this diagnosis signifies the development of a lupus-like illness with characteristic clinical and serological abnormalities after exposure to an offending agent. In most, though not all cases, the illness is expected to remit with discontinuation…
Does this patient have antiphospholipid syndrome? Antiphospholipidsyndrome (APS or APLS) is an autoimmune, hypercoagulable state caused by antibodies against phospholipids that produces thrombosis (arterial or venous) as well as pregnancy-related complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm delivery, or severe preeclampsia. The syndrome is thought to be due to the production of autoantibodies against phospholipids (aPL).…
