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Relapsing polychondritis--case series from South India
Rajiv Ananthakrishna1, Ruchika Goel, Prasanta Padhan
1Department of Medicine, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, 632004, India.
Clinical Rheumatology
|October 24, 2008
Summary
Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare inflammatory condition. This study details seven cases in South India, highlighting varied symptoms and treatment responses, contributing to understanding RP in diverse populations.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare, recurrent inflammatory disorder with a variable clinical course.
- It is primarily documented in Caucasian populations, with limited reports from other ethnic groups.
Observation:
- This study retrospectively analyzed seven South Indian patients diagnosed with RP between 1995 and 2008.
- The female-to-male ratio was 2.5:1, with symptom onset between 28-54 years (mean 40.2).
- Diagnosis delay averaged 20 months, with common involvements including nasal cartilage (71%), pinna (57%), joints (43%), eyes (43%), and laryngotracheal tree (43%).
Findings:
- Four patients (57%) had associated autoimmune diseases: vasculitis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, hypothyroidism, and rheumatoid arthritis.
- All patients received prednisolone, with three requiring additional immunosuppressants.
- Compared to other populations, this series showed less frequent auricular cartilage and skin involvement, but an unusual case of basal cell carcinoma.
Implications:
- This study expands the understanding of relapsing polychondritis (RP) in a South Indian population.
- It underscores the importance of clinical awareness for prompt diagnosis and management of RP to prevent complications.
- The findings suggest potential ethnic variations in RP manifestations, warranting further research.
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