[Ulcerative colitis associated with chronic atrophic polychondritis. One case (author's transl)]

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Gastroenterology
• Immunology

Background:

• Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
• Chronic atrophic polychondritis (CAP) is a rare systemic autoimmune disease affecting cartilage.
• The co-occurrence of UC and CAP is uncommon, prompting investigation into potential associations.

Observation:

• A 70-year-old male patient presented with ulcerative colitis.
• Nine months after the initial UC diagnosis, signs of chronic atrophic polychondritis emerged.
• Repeatedly, exacerbations of polychondritis preceded subsequent attacks of ulcerative colitis.

Findings:

• The temporal relationship suggests a potential causal link between polychondritis and ulcerative colitis, rather than mere coincidence.
• Sulfone therapy, at a daily dose of 200 mg, demonstrated satisfactory clinical response in managing polychondritis symptoms.
• The observed efficacy of sulfones requires further validation through additional clinical studies.

Implications:

• This case highlights a possible etiological connection between polychondritis and ulcerative colitis.
• Sulfones may represent a viable therapeutic option for managing polychondritis in patients with co-existing ulcerative colitis.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and confirm treatment efficacy.