[Relapsing polychondritis: an analysis of 11 patients]

Abstract

Objective: To analyze 11 patients with relapsing polychondritis reported by 3 hospitals in our country.

Patients and method: We describe 11 cases of relapsing polychondritis reported by 3 hospitals in our country, analizing gender, age at the beginning of the disease, delay time in diagnosis, clinical manifestations at the beginning of the disease and during follow-up, initial treatment, and treatment in the "chronic phase" of the disease.

Results: We described 8 female patients and 4 males, with a mean age of 40.8 years. The delay time in diagnosis was from 4 months to 4 years. The main manifestations were: auricular chondritis in 8 patients (72.7%), hearing loss in 4 (36.3%), and dysphonia in 4 (36.3%). The complications included subglotic stenosis in 4 patients (36.3%), epiescleritis in 2 (18.1%), 1 retinal and corneal dettachment with macular lesion (9%), conductive and sensorial hearing loss in 2 (18.1%), glomerulonephritis in 2 (18.1%), and mitral and tricuspid insufficiency in one patient (9.0%). All of them received prednisone. Cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and azathioprine were the most common immunosupressors used.

Conclusions: This is the largest cohort reported in our country, sharing clinical and outcome patterns reported in other series and in the literature. Response to steroids is good, however, we need to consider other therapeutic options because the disease continues progressing and relapsing.