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A subset of patients with overlapping features of the following autoimmune diseases
Serologies
A key reason to identify this subset of patients is that pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung disease are major causes of mortality, and regular screening for these manifestations is required
“Overlap syndrome”
Patients with features of more than one connective tissue disease (eg, RA and SLE, SLE and systemic sclerosis)
However, there are no high-titer anti-RNP antibodies
“Undifferentiated connective tissue disease”: patients have only a few features of autoimmunity and cannot yet be classified
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Swollen or puffy hands are a common early feature of the disease, referred to as mixed connective tissue disease
Raynaud phenomenon, arthralgias, and myalgias are common
Renal or central nervous system disease is uncommon (unlike in patients with SLE)
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