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Undifferentiated connective tissue disease in a rheumatology center in Cali, Colombia: clinical features of 94 patients followed for a year

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Abstract

The aim of the study is to evaluate the clinical and serological features of patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) of a rheumatology referral center in Cali, Colombia, who were followed for a year. A retrospective analysis of a cohort of patients with an initial diagnosis of UCTD and monitoring for at least 12 months was carried out. A total of 94 patients with UCTD (97.9% women) were evaluated, with an average follow-up of 51 ± 35.7 months. Only 13 patients (13.8%) evolved into a defined connective tissue disease (CTD), of which 8.5% (n:8) developed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 4.2% (n:4) Sjögren syndrome (SS) and 1.1% (n:1) rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A mean period of 35.8 ± 29.2 months between UCTD diagnosis and definite develop of a CTD was found. Arthritis, Raynaud’s phenomenon and photosensitivity were statistically significant (<0.001) for development of CTD. After a mean follow-up of 4.25 years, most of the patients with UCTD showed a favorable evolution. Arthritis, Raynaud’s phenomenon and the presence of photosensitivity were predictors for the development of CTD. It requires a consensus to establish criteria for the classification of UCTD.

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Acknowledgments

Rheumatology Unit, Centro Médico Imbanaco.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Universidad Libre, Cali, Colombia

    Luis F. Guerrero

  2. Spondyloarthropathy Group-Division of Rheumatology, Universidad de la Sabana, Bogotá, Colombia

    Juan C. Rueda

  3. Rheumatology Unit, Centro Médico Imbanaco, Cali, Colombia

    Raquel Arciniegas

  4. Rheumatology Unit, Centro Médico Imbanaco, Department of Internal Medicine, Universidad Libre, Carrera 38 A No 5 A–100, Cali, Colombia

    Jorge M. Rueda

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  1. Luis F. Guerrero
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  2. Juan C. Rueda
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  3. Raquel Arciniegas
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  4. Jorge M. Rueda
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Correspondence to Jorge M. Rueda.

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Guerrero, L.F., Rueda, J.C., Arciniegas, R. et al. Undifferentiated connective tissue disease in a rheumatology center in Cali, Colombia: clinical features of 94 patients followed for a year. Rheumatol Int 33, 1085–1088 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-011-2234-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-011-2234-y

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