Highlights & Basics
- Overlap syndromes refers to a group of conditions that have clinical features of, and meet classification criteria for, more than one well-characterized rheumatic disease.
- The spectrum of overlap syndromes includes mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD); antisynthetase syndrome; and polymyositis/scleroderma (PM/Scl) overlap syndrome.
- MCTD is a distinct clinical entity characterized by overlapping features of systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, myositis, and rheumatoid arthritis in the setting of a high titer of autoantibodies to U1 ribonucleoprotein.
- Antisynthetase syndromes form a distinct group characterized by antibodies directed against various aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase enzymes with overlapping clinical features of myositis, arthritis, and interstitial lung disease.
- PM/Scl syndrome is characterized by overlapping features of scleroderma and polymyositis, PM/Scl antibody, Raynaud phenomenon, tendon inflammation, and interstitial lung disease.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Citations
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Kasukawa R, Tojo T, Miyawaki S, et al. Preliminary diagnostic criteria for classification of mixed connective tissue disease. In: Kasukawa R, Sharp GC, eds. Mixed connective tissue disease and anti-nuclear antibodies. Amsterdam, the Netherlands: Elsevier; 1987:41-7.
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