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.