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Medical Definition of Collagen-vascular diseases
1. A group of generalised disease's affecting connective tissue and frequently characterised by fibrinoid necrosis or vasculitis; in some collagen disease's, auto-immunization, particularly antinuclear antibodies, has been shown and circulating immune complexes are found. The term is not entirely acceptable because there is no evidence that collagen is primarily involved; "collagen" was once synonymous with "connective tissue" rather than describing a specific fibrinous protein in that tissue. See: connective-tissue diseases. (05 Mar 2000)