Overlap

Overlap Syndrome is a term used in medicine to describe the condition where a patient exhibits symptoms of more than one disease at the same time. This can often complicate diagnosis and treatment, as the overlapping symptoms can mask the true nature of the underlying conditions.

Definition

Overlap Syndrome refers to the coexistence of two or more independent diseases in the same individual. The term is most commonly used in the field of rheumatology, but can also apply to other medical disciplines. The diseases involved in an overlap syndrome can be any combination of autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and others.

Examples

Some examples of overlap syndromes include:

• Sjögren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma
• Primary biliary cirrhosis and autoimmune hepatitis

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of overlap syndrome can be challenging due to the overlapping symptoms of the diseases involved. Doctors often rely on a combination of medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests to make a diagnosis. In some cases, a biopsy may be necessary.

Treatment

Treatment of overlap syndrome typically involves managing the symptoms of the individual diseases. This can include medication, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. The specific treatment plan will depend on the diseases involved and the severity of the symptoms.

See also

• Autoimmune disease
• Inflammatory disease
• Rheumatology

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