Mixed connective tissue disease refers to a group of diseases, including lupus, scleroderma and polymyositis etc. The most common symptoms are multiple joint pain or arthritis. They may also have joint swelling, but generally there is no joint deformity. Early signs and symptoms include diffuse hand edema, accompanied by fingertip thinning. If you have hand swelling, tight skin, and thickened skin, the fingers may look like sausage. Mixed connective tissue disease is most common in young women. Treatment usually includes drugs such as prednisone.
How is Mixed connective tissue disease treated in practice?