Overview
Relapsing polychondritis (sometimes called RP or systemic chondromalacia) is a rare autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks cartilage — the firm but flexible tissue that gives shape and structure to your ears, nose, throat, windpipe, and joints. The disease tends to come and go in episodes called 'flares,' which is where the word 'relapsing' comes from. During a flare, affected cartilage becomes red, swollen, and painful, and over time it can break down and lose its shape. Relapsing polychondritis can affect many parts of the body. The ears and nose are most commonly involved, often becoming red and tender during flares. The airways — including the voice box and windpipe — can also be affected, which is one of the most serious aspects of the disease. The eyes, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and skin may also be involved in some people. Treatment focuses on calming the immune system and reducing inflammation. Mild cases may be managed with anti-inflammatory medicines like NSAIDs or dapsone. More severe cases often require corticosteroids (such as prednisone) or stronger immune-suppressing drugs. Newer biologic therapies are being explored. There is currently no cure, but many people can manage their symptoms and live active lives with the right treatment plan.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Red, swollen, and painful outer ears (but not the earlobes, which have no cartilage)Saddle-nose deformity — the bridge of the nose collapses over timeJoint pain and swelling in multiple jointsHoarse voice or difficulty speakingShortness of breath or noisy breathing due to airway narrowingEye redness, pain, or vision changesHearing loss or ringing in the earsDizziness or balance problemsSkin rashes or nodulesChest pain or tenderness over the breastboneFatigue and general feeling of being unwellHeart valve problems in some casesKidney problems in some cases
Clinical phenotype terms (50)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
3 eventsUniversity of Pennsylvania — PHASE2
Peking University People's Hospital — PHASE1, PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Relapsing polychondritis.
3 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Relapsing polychondritis.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Relapsing polychondritis
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Longitudinal Study for Relapsing Polychondritis
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Relapsing polychondritis
New recruiting trial: Efficacy, Safety and Immunological Evaluation of Upadacitinib for Relapsing Polychondritis
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Relapsing polychondritis
New recruiting trial: An Open-Label Study of Effectiveness of Immunomodulatory Medications for Patients With Relapsing Polychondritis
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Relapsing polychondritis
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How do I know if my symptoms are a flare, and when should I go to the emergency room?,Which organs are currently affected in my case, and how will you monitor them over time?,What are the risks and benefits of long-term corticosteroid use, and is there a plan to reduce my dose?,Are there clinical trials or newer biologic treatments I might be eligible for?,How often should I have breathing tests or imaging to check my airway?,Should I see other specialists such as a pulmonologist, cardiologist, or ENT doctor?,What signs should prompt me to seek emergency care immediately?
Common questions about Relapsing polychondritis
What is Relapsing polychondritis?
Relapsing polychondritis (sometimes called RP or systemic chondromalacia) is a rare autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks cartilage — the firm but flexible tissue that gives shape and structure to your ears, nose, throat, windpipe, and joints. The disease tends to come and go in episodes called 'flares,' which is where the word 'relapsing' comes from. During a flare, affected cartilage becomes red, swollen, and painful, and over time it can break down and lose its shape. Relapsing polychondritis can affect many parts of the body. The ears and nose are most co
How is Relapsing polychondritis inherited?
Relapsing polychondritis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Relapsing polychondritis typically begin?
Typical onset of Relapsing polychondritis is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Relapsing polychondritis?
Yes — 3 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Relapsing polychondritis on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Relapsing polychondritis?
9 specialists and care centers treating Relapsing polychondritis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.