Relapsing polychondritis and familial Mediterranean fever--an association.

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) and familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) are systemic inflammatory disorders with seemingly distinct genetic and pathophysiologic mechanisms. An association between these disorders has been described based on a single case report with few clinical details available. We recently encountered a patient with biopsy-proven RP and genetically confirmed FMF. Following identification of this individual, we conducted a retrospective review of all cases of RP in our institution from 2000-2009 and identified one additional patient with RP who is also a genetic heterozygote for FMF. These cases highlight the previously reported but sparsely documented relationship between these seemingly separate disorders.