Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Relapsing polychondritis: clinical and immunogenetic analysis of 62 patients.

OBJECTIVE: In this study we describe clinical and immunogenetic findings in 62 unselected patients with relapsing polychondritis.

METHODS: In a multicenter study, clinical data of 26 (41.9%) female and 36 (58.1%) male patients were collected. HLA-DR specificities were identified in 60, and the frequencies were compared with those in healthy controls.

RESULTS: The median age at the time of diagnosis was 46.6 years (range 17 to 86). 58 (93.5%) patients had auricular chondritis, 31 (50.0%) ocular symptoms, 35 (56.5%) nasal involvement. Involvement of joints (53.2%), respiratory system (30.6%), skin (24.2%), cardiovascular system (22.6%), central nervous system (9.7%), and kidneys (6.5%) was found as well. 22 (35.5%) patients had associated diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis. Susceptibility to relapsing polychondritis was significantly associated with HLA-DR4 (p < 0.001). There was no difference in the frequency or distribution of DRB1*04 subtype alleles between patients and healthy controls. The extent of organ involvement was negatively associated with HLA-DR6 (p < 0.011).

CONCLUSION: Immunogenetic findings as well as similarities and overlapping clinical symptoms with other autoimmune or rheumatic diseases suggest that immunological mechanisms play a major role in the pathogenesis of relapsing polychondritis.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app