Relapsing polychondritis

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare inflammatory disease of unknown aetiolog y characterized by recurrent inflammation and destruction of cartilaginous structures and connective tissue. Current data provide increasing support f or an autoimmune basis, but its cause remains unknown. Individuals of any r ace, gender, or age may be affected, but it is most commonly seen between t he ages of 40 and 60 years. Although relapsing polychondritis occurs predom inantly as a separately defined clinical complex, a significant number of p atients may suffer from another underlying rheumatic and/or haematological disorder; vasculitic syndromes are the most commonly observed disorders ass ociated with relapsing polychondritis. Common clinical features are auricul ar, nasal and respiratory tract chondritis with involvement of organs of sp ecial sense, such as the eyes and audiovestibular apparatus. Polyarthritis and vasculitic involvement are also common. Corticosteroids are still the a gents of choice although several other anti-inflammatory drugs can be used in order to allow tapering of the steroid dose or to achieve a lower mainte nance dose for refractory cases.