Relapsing polychondritis is an uncommon, immune-mediated condition characterized by episodes of inflammation of cartilaginous structures, especially the ears, nose, joints and respiratory tract. RP also affects proteoglycan-rich structures such as the eyes, heart, blood vessels and inner ear. Around one third of cases are associated with other diseases such as…...
A Nationwide Study of the Epidemiology of Relapsing Polychondritis, by PMC
Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare autoimmune inflammatory disease that attacks mainly cartilaginous structures or causes serious damage in proteoglycan-rich structures (the eyes, heart, blood vessels, inner ear). This study shows results regarding the epidemiology, progression, and associations of this highly variable disease by collecting all cases from a 124-million-person-year…...
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, Relapsing Polychondritis entry
Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare condition characterized by recurrent inflammation of cartilage and other tissues throughout the body. Cartilage is a tough but flexible tissue that covers the ends of bones at a joint, and gives shape and support to other parts of the body. Ear involvement is the…...
NORD: Relapsing Polychondritis
NORD – National Organization for Rare Disorders Relapsing polychondritis is a rare degenerative disease characterized by recurrent inflammation of the cartilage in the body. Deterioration of the cartilage may affect any site of the body where cartilage is present. Ears, larynx and trachea may become “floppy,” and the bridge of…...
Relapsing Polychondritis Clinical Presentation, by Medscape
The wide array of possible presenting symptoms and the episodic nature of relapsing polychondritis (RP) may result in a significant delay in diagnosis. In a review of 66 patients, the elapsed time from patient presentation for medical care for a related symptom to diagnosis was reported to be 2.9 years.[19] In…...
John Hopkins Medicine Podcasts: Relapsing Polychondritis
Relapsing polychondritis is a rare autoimmune condition, where the body attacks its own cartilage and collagen, a tough fibrous component of skin and other body parts. Marcela Ferrada, an infectious disease physician at Johns Hopkins and someone with the condition, describes some of the organs and structures that may be…...
Disease Information from Benaroya Research Institute Virginia Mason
Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rheumatic autoimmune disease. It is a rare disease in which the immune system attacks the body’s cartilage. RP disease progression includes pain and deformity, which accompanies inflammation and deterioration of cartilage within the ear, nose, trachea and joints. RP research findings are also of interest…...
