Relapsing Polychondritis
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Relapsing Polychondritis Overview

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What is the definition of Relapsing Polychondritis?
Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is characterized by recurrent swelling and inflammation of cartilage and other tissues throughout the body. Cartilage is a tough but flexible tissue that covers the ends of bones at a joint and gives shape and support to other parts of the body. Other parts of the body that may be involved are the airways (trachea), costal (rib) cartilage, eyes, heart, vascular (veins) system, skin, kidney, and nervous system. The signs and symptoms vary from person to person depending on which parts of the body are affected. The exact underlying cause of RP is unknown. There are thought to be genetic and other unknown factors involved. RP often occurs along with autoimmune conditions. Diagnosis is based on the symptoms and clinical examination. Other more common conditions may need to be excluded before RP can be diagnosed.
What are the alternative names for Relapsing Polychondritis?
  • Relapsing polychondritis
  • Chronic atrophic polychondritis
  • Polychondropathia
  • Recurrent polychondritis
Who are the top Relapsing Polychondritis Local Doctors?
Elite in Relapsing Polychondritis
Dr. Peter A. Merkel
Rheumatology
Elite in Relapsing Polychondritis
Dr. Peter A. Merkel
Rheumatology

Perelman Center For Advanced Medicine

3400 Civic Center Boulevard, South Pavilion, 1st Floor, 
Philadelphia, PA 
215-662-2454
Languages Spoken:
English
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Accepting New Patients

Peter Merkel is a Rheumatologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Merkel is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Relapsing Polychondritis. His top areas of expertise are Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis, Vasculitis, Microscopic Polyangiitis, Takayasu Arteritis, and Tissue Biopsy. Dr. Merkel is currently accepting new patients.

Elite in Relapsing Polychondritis
Dr. Shubhasree Banerjee
Rheumatology
Elite in Relapsing Polychondritis
Dr. Shubhasree Banerjee
Rheumatology

Penn Rheumatology University City

3737 Market Street, 8th Floor, 
Philadelphia, PA 
215-662-2454
Languages Spoken:
English
See accepted insurances
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Shubhasree Banerjee is a Rheumatologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Banerjee is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Relapsing Polychondritis. Her top areas of expertise are Relapsing Polychondritis, Temporal Arteritis, Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), and Juvenile Temporal Arteritis. Dr. Banerjee is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Elite in Relapsing Polychondritis
Jun Shimizu
Elite in Relapsing Polychondritis
Jun Shimizu
Tokyo, JP 

Jun Shimizu practices in Tokyo, Japan. Mr. Shimizu is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Relapsing Polychondritis. His top areas of expertise are Relapsing Polychondritis, Myositis, Inclusion Body Myositis, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), and Aortic Valve Replacement.

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What are the latest Relapsing Polychondritis Clinical Trials?
Pragmatic, Open-Label, Two-Stage, Pilot Study of Effectiveness of Immunomodulatory Medications for Patients With Relapsing Polychondritis
Pragmatic, Open-Label, Two-Stage, Pilot Study of Effectiveness of Immunomodulatory Medications for Patients With Relapsing Polychondritis
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: February 04, 2026
Intervention Type: Biological, Drug
Study Phase: Phase 2

Summary: Open label pragmatic two-stage non-randomized trial comparing the effectiveness of five different standard of care treatment options for patients with relapsing polychondritis (RP).

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Longitudinal Study for Relapsing Polychondritis
Longitudinal Study for Relapsing Polychondritis
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: January 23, 2026

Summary: Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare systemic inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent inflammation of cartilage including ears, nose, tracheobronchial tree, chest wall and joints. Less commonly, it can cause inflammation of eyes, vasculature, nervous system, skin and inner ear. The purpose of this study is to study the pathogenesis of RP.

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Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: May 02, 2022
Published By: Genetic and Rare Diseases Informnation Center