title: Relapsing polychondritis: systemic and ocular manifestations, differential diagnosis, management, and prognosis.
abstract: Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare systemic autoimmune disease characterized by episodic inflammation of cartilaginous tissues throughout the body. It is distinguished by recurrent bouts of inflammation, which lead to the permanent destruction of the involved structures. It can be a life-threatening, debilitating, and frightening disease and is often difficult to diagnose in its early stages. Ocular manifestations have been reported to occur in up to 65% of cases and include proptosis, eyelid edema, extraocular muscles palsy, episcleritis, scleritis, conjunctivitis, corneal infiltrate, peripheral ulcerative keratitis, corneal thinning or perforation, iridocyclitis, cataract, retinopathy, exudative retinal detachment, and optic neuritis. Corticosteroids remain the mainstay of treatment for RP; however, other treatment modalities include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, colchicine, dapsone, and immunomodulatory drugs. This article reviews the literature and summarizes the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, treatment, and prognosis of the systemic and ocular manifestations of RP.
authors.affiliation: Cornea and Refractive Surgery Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA 02114, USA. jknee23@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Janie H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chodosh
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dana
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D011081:Polychondritis, Relapsing / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D005938:Glucocorticoids