Rehabilitation in Connective Tissue Diseases

Connective Tissue Disease (CTD) is a heterogeneous group of chronic inflammatory conditions characterized by involvement of conjunctive tissue and a common autoimmune signature. These diseases include systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, systemic sclerosis, Sjogren’s syndrome, mixed CTDs, and undifferentiated CTDs. Cutaneous, articular, muscular, pulmonary and cardiovascular manifestations are among the most frequent during these diseases and often lead to a functional and physical disability that sometimes severely affects the quality of life of these patients. Rehabilitation and physical therapy play a crucial role in the management of patients with CTDs but despite their proven benefits, they are often neglected and represent a challenge for clinicians. This overview focuses on the rehabilitation of cutaneous, musculoskeletal and cardio-pulmonary involvement of CTDs.