A case of undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) with severe digital ulcer

Abstract

    Recently, it has come to be known that there are some patients who are suffering from arthralgia, Raynaud’s phenomenon, or with serum anti-nuclear antibodies suggesting connective tissue disease although their clinical findings do not fulfill the criteria of any specific connective tissue diseases. Such pathophysiology is referred to undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD). The condition of patients with this pathophysiology is frequently not very serious, and disease activity is overcome with a relatively small amount of corticosteroids. Here we present a case where serum anti-DNA antibody was positive, and digital ulcers in the patient’s feet progressively developed to necrosis. Angiography and pathological examination suggested that she has a vasculitis different from thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO), arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) or panarteritis nodosa, but she was thought to have UCTD because of clinical and pathological findings. This case suggests that there some cases may be serious even in the case of UCTD, suggesting that early pathological examination is essential for diagnosis and treatment.