ARTICLE
Naturopathic Treatment of
Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease with Concomitant Tinnitus :
A Case Study
Laura Wilson | BHSc ( Nat )
Abstract Undifferentiated connective tissue disease ( UCTD ) is a complex and debilitating autoimmune condition , often presenting with several comorbidities , that can significantly affect a patient ’ s quality of life . UCTD has the potential to progress to a more severe , defined connective tissue disease without appropriate management , however the condition is poorly understood , and clinical treatment guidelines are lacking . This article analyses the case of a 54-year-old woman with UCTD with concomitant tinnitus and explores the use of N-acetylcysteine ( NAC ) supplementation as treatment . The patient demonstrated improvements with all symptoms , including tinnitus , with NAC supplementation alongside a naturopathic autoimmune protocol focussing on anti-inflammatory , anti-oxidant and immune-modulatory mechanisms , including removal of disturbing factors , an anti-inflammatory diet and improved lifestyle measures . The outcomes of this treatment suggest a potential role for NAC supplementation as a therapeutic tool in the management of UCTD and tinnitus . Further research is required to confirm these results .
Introduction
Undifferentiated connective disease ( UCTD ) defines conditions presenting with signs and symptoms suggestive of systemic autoimmune disease ( SAD ) that do not meet diagnostic criteria for defined conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis , systemic lupus erythematous and scleroderma . 1 Common clinical manifestations include fatigue , arthralgias , myalgias , arthritis , Raynaud ’ s phenomenon , swelling , skin rash , dry eyes and mucosal ulcerations . 2 Autoimmune pathogenesis involves genetic predisposition and environmental factors ( see Table 1 ), leading to dysregulated immune function , with impaired T-regulatory cells initiating pro-inflammatory mechanisms and Th1 / Th2 imbalance . A lymphocyte attack on self-tissues is triggered which results in inappropriate inflammation and tissue damage . 3
Epidemiological data on UCTD are lacking , however data show a female
Table 1 . Environmental risk factors involved in autoimmune pathogenesis . 4
Environmental Factors Dietary factors Intestinal dysbiosis Food intolerances / allergies Intestinal permeability Endocrine influences Traumatic insult / tissue damage Vitamin D deficiency
Toxin exposure ( i . e . cigarette smoke , heavy metals , chemicals , radiation )
Silicone and silicone breast implants Infections ( i . e . Epstein-Barr virus ) Pharmaceutical drugs
128 | vol27 | no3 | JATMS