Collagen Vascular Disease

Synonyms

Connective tissue disease

Definition

Collagen vascular diseases are a group of conditions that are characterized by malfunction of the tendons, bones, and connective tissue, that are supported by collagen. Their pathogenesis is autoimmune in nature.

Current Knowledge

The most common collagen vascular disorders include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and dermatomyositis. Others include polymyositis, polyarteritis nodosa, ankylosing spondylitis, and a number of vasculopathies. These diseases are frequently associated with diffuse inflammatory changes, abnormal immunity. Vascular abnormalities that result from these conditions serve as frequent causes of various types of vasculitis. Common features include arthritis, skin changes, eye changes, pericarditis, pleuritis, myocarditis, nephritis, and vasculitis of the brain, peripheral nerves, or extremities. They also may have a variety of hematological changes causing clotting or bleeding and a...