Connective Tissue Diseases from a dermatologic point of view

Connective tissue diseases (CTDs) are a group of chronic multiorgan diseases with an underlying autoimmune pathogenesis, characterized by variable involvement of structural components of connective tissues. Indeed, skin signs often represent the preliminary stages of disease and the presenting clinical symptoms. The present approach becomes essential for a good practice in the fields of dermatology and rheumatology for the reason that CTDs - ranging from the commonest forms to the rarest - constitute medical challenges and dilemmas from the establishment of an accurate diagnosis to the implementation of an efficient management plan, passing through the negative impact these conditions can cause to the patients and their quality of life. In the light of evidence-based practice, recommendations for individual assessment and relevant nuances to the differential diagnosis are critically appraised in order to improve diagnosis accuracy and consequently the treatment success. The content of this book is organised in 8 chapters, which include lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, dermatomyositis, Sjögren syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and cutaneous vasculitis in the setting of CTDs.