[A clinical study of five cases demonstrating relapsing polychondritis].

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare multisystemic disease characterized by the recurrent inflammation of the cartilaginous structures of the external ear, nose, joint, larynx, and tracheobronchial tree, whose etiology might involve an immunological mechanism. Five patients with RP were analyzed. They consisted of 4 males and 1 female, with ages of onset ranging from 27 to 75. Duration from onset to diagnosis varied from 10 months to 5 years. All 5 patients had auricular chondritis and arthritis. Laringotracheal involvement was detected in 4 patients, scleritis in 2 patients, nasal chondritis, and costal chondritis in one patient. One patient was diagnosed to have MAGIC syndrome, complicated with oral and genital ulcers. Antibodies to type II collagen were detected in 4 patients, and the antibody titer correlated with the level of C-reactive protein. Corticosteroids were given to 5 patients. After treatment, the symptoms improved in 5 patients, but 3 patients had a recurrence as reducing corticosteroids. One of them received steroid pulse therapy, one received immunosuppressive drugs, and one patient received both treatments. To prevent an impairment of organs, an early diagnosis involving the use of antibodies to type II collagen and steroid therapy are important in this disease.