A multicenter study of long-term outcomes of relapsing polychondritis in Iran

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a systemic immune mediated disease characterized by recurrent episodes of inflammation in various cartilage-rich areas. RP may cause extensive tissue destruction and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In this multicenter study, we considered the remission status and long-term outcomes of RP in patients who were followed-up in six referral rheumatology centers in Iran. Outcomes of disease was assessed by remission status and RP induced damage. A total of 29 patients with RP were examined for enrollment in the study, and 26 patients with a minimum follow-up period of 6 months were included in the RP outcome analysis. Median time to control of symptoms and sustained remission were 5 and 23 weeks, respectively. Prednisolone was discontinued in 8 (30.8%) patients and medication-free remission was achieved in 7 (23.1%) patients. Regarding the disease course, 34.6% of patients had a relapsing-remitting course, 42.3% had a monophasic course, and 23.1% had an always-active course. Despite extensive treatment with immunosuppressive medications, RP induced damage was developed in 21 (80.8%) patients. Ear deformity and osteoporosis were the most common RP induced damage. Long-term remission and medications-free remission in RP is accessible. However, RP related damage occur in majority of patients.