Published: 18 Jun 2025

ICD9: 710.9      ICD10: M35.9      ICD11: 4A4Z

Collagen Vascular Disease (CVD) is a broad term referring to a group of autoimmune diseases that affect the connective tissues in the body.
These tissues, primarily collagen and elastin, provide support and structure to skin, joints, muscles, and internal organs. In CVDs, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks these healthy tissues, leading to inflammation and damage.

Here's a breakdown:

Connective Tissue: This is the "glue" that holds the body together. Collagen and elastin are major components providing strength and elasticity.
Autoimmune: The immune system, normally responsible for fighting off foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses, malfunctions and attacks the body's own tissues.
Inflammation and Damage: The immune system's attack causes inflammation, leading to a variety of symptoms and potentially permanent damage to affected organs and tissues.

Key features of Collagen Vascular Diseases:

Systemic: They can affect multiple organ systems.
Chronic: They are long-lasting, often lifelong.
Variable: Symptoms can vary significantly from person to person and can fluctuate over time (periods of flare-ups and remissions).
Diagnosed with blood tests and clinical exam: Diagnosis is often based on a combination of clinical symptoms, physical exam findings, and specific blood tests (e.g., antinuclear antibody (ANA), rheumatoid factor (RF)).

Common Examples of Collagen Vascular Diseases (not exhaustive):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE or Lupus): Can affect joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, and other organs.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Primarily affects joints, causing inflammation, pain, and stiffness, but can also affect other organs.
Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis): Causes hardening and thickening of the skin and can affect internal organs.
Sjögren's Syndrome: Primarily affects the moisture-producing glands, leading to dry eyes and dry mouth, but can also affect other organs.
Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis: Cause muscle weakness and inflammation. Dermatomyositis also involves skin rashes.
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD): Has overlapping features of lupus, scleroderma, polymyositis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Vasculitis (e.g., Polyarteritis Nodosa, Giant Cell Arteritis): Inflammation of blood vessels, which can affect various organs.

Symptoms:

Symptoms are highly variable depending on the specific disease and which organs are affected. Common symptoms can include:

Joint pain and swelling
Muscle pain and weakness
Skin rashes
Fatigue
Fever
Dry eyes and dry mouth
Raynaud's phenomenon (fingers and toes turn white or blue in response to cold or stress)
Difficulty breathing
Swallowing problems

Causes:

The exact causes of CVDs are unknown, but they are believed to be a combination of genetic predisposition, environmental triggers (e.g., infections, sunlight exposure), and hormonal factors. They are not contagious.

Treatment:

There is no cure for most CVDs. Treatment focuses on:

Controlling inflammation: With medications like corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biologics.
Managing symptoms: With pain relievers, physical therapy, and other supportive therapies.
Preventing organ damage: By closely monitoring the disease and adjusting treatment as needed.

Important Considerations:

Diagnosis can be challenging: Symptoms can be vague and overlap with other conditions.
Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial: To help prevent long-term organ damage.
Living with a CVD can be difficult: It requires ongoing medical care, lifestyle adjustments, and emotional support.

If you suspect you may have a collagen vascular disease, it's important to see a doctor, preferably a rheumatologist, for evaluation and diagnosis. They can perform the necessary tests and develop a personalized treatment plan.