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Collagen disease refers to disorders involving collagen, a protein found in connective tissue. It can be genetic or acquired through infections, injuries, or medications. Diagnosis involves biopsies and medical history. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and monitoring for complications.
Collagen disease is a term that refers to disorders involving collagen, a type of protein found in many forms of connective tissue. Collagen is very hard and has a glue-like consistency. It makes up about 30% of the proteins found in the body and is an important component of the physical structure of the body. Diseases involving collagen can lead to a variety of health problems.
Historically, this term has been used to refer to connective tissue diseases, also known as systemic autoimmune diseases. People sometimes referred to such conditions as “collagen vascular disease.” This usage of the term is considered obsolete, but still appears in some older textbooks and medical records. Some examples of systemic autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and dermatomyositis.
In true collagen disease, collagen itself is involved in the disease process. Collagen can become inflamed and this can lead to breakdowns in the connective tissue causing problems such as joint pain, soreness, tenderness and muscle weakness. This commonly occurs because the immune system misidentifies collagen as an invader and begins attacking it. Collagen breaks down in response, and the body may have difficulty replacing damaged collagen.
Some collagen defects are genetic. Some congenital conditions can interfere with your ability to produce collagen. Many people with genetic connective tissue disorders either don’t make enough collagen, can’t make the right types of collagen, or produce too much collagen. A congenital collagen disease can lead to problems with the connective tissue which can lead to a variety of problems from organ damage to undersized or weak muscles.
A collagen disease can also be acquired. Certain types of infections have been linked to collagen damage, including diseases that can act as triggers to cause autoimmune disorders, in which the body begins to attack itself. People can also develop collagen disorders from repeated injury, tumors, responses to medications, and other events.
When a doctor suspects a patient has collagen disease, biopsies may be ordered so that the connective tissue from the affected area can be examined under a microscope. A complete medical history will be taken and a physical exam will be performed. This information will be used to develop a diagnosis so your doctor can discuss treatment or disease management. For some conditions, there is no cure available, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms, keeping patients comfortable, and monitoring patients for signs of complications.
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