Mixed connective tissue disease: still crazy after all these years

Abstract

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) remains a controversial diagnosis. The classification criteria have changed significantly from the original description by Sharp and colleagues in 1972 after follow-up of the original and other MCTD patients. In this article we review the clinical, serologic, and genetic studies of MCTD published in the last 10 years and ask if this term is appropriate.