Abstract

QUINTANA DUQUE, Mario Andrés et al. Relapsing polychondritis: An study of 19 cases in Colombia. Salud, Barranquilla [online]. 2007, vol.23, n.1, pp.1-8. ISSN 0120-5552.

Objective:To describe clinical and para clinical involvementin RPina Colombian population and compare it with another series previously published. Methods and materials: Retrospective review of 19 caseso fRP presente din4rheumatology centers in our country in the last 10 years. All patients met diagnostic criteria previously established. In every case, each clinical feature was analized and then compared with another 9 series of RP previously published between 1966 y 2007. Results: Mean age at diagnosis was 46 years. A female predominance was observed in a relation 4:1. Mean follow-up was 4 years. Auricular condritis was the initial clinical feature in 89% of patients and ?nally was observed in the 100% of our report. Compared with other series, we found less frequently arthritis (21%), ocular (10%) and dermatologic involvement (10%). Renal and neurologic involvement and the association between RP and another autoimmune disorder were found in the expected frequency. We not observed any cardiovascular involvement in our serie. All of the patients received corticosteroids and 57% had had another immunosuppressive medication. Observed mortality was 10% by complications associated to RP. Conclusions: In contrast with another series from Caucasian and Oriental population, we observed a marked predominance of female sex, a minor frequency of systemic involvement and auricular condritis is our most frequent initial clinical feature. Probably, these findings are the result of a different genetic, immunological and environmental background.

Keywords : Relapsing polychondritis; chondritis; vasculitis; corticosteroids.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )