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The ocular manifestations of relapsing polychondritis

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Abstract

Purpose

Relapsing polychondritis (RPC) is a rare, multi-system, inflammatory disorder. Ocular disease is estimated to occur in 14–67% of patients with RPC, and any ocular structure can be affected. Published case reports and series of RPC were analysed to determine the frequency and nature of the ocular manifestations of RPC, including the age and gender distribution.

Methods

A literature search of the MEDLINE database for case reports and series on RPC was conducted in October 2021 using search terms [relapsing polychondritis (MeSH Major Topic)] OR [relapsing polychondritis (Title/Abstract)]. Articles were included if the diagnosis of RPC was confirmed using established diagnostic criteria and if the paper described the clinical features of patients with RPC.

Results

546 articles (454 case reports and 92 case series) described the clinical features in a total of 2414 patients with RPC.

49% of patients with RPC had ocular involvement, and this was a presenting feature in 21%. The most common ocular manifestations were scleritis (32%), episcleritis (31%) and uveitis (23%).

Conclusion

Many patients with RPC will be seen by an ophthalmologist during the course of their disease. Knowledge and awareness of RPC and its ocular manifestations is therefore essential to enable the ophthalmologist to make the diagnosis.

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Acknowledgements

Thanks go to Anne Williams and Sorrell Williams from the Royal Glamorgan Hospital library for their help in obtaining articles and to Nigel Davies and Claire Gallagher for their proof reading assistance.

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The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda Hospital, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Tonypandy, CF40 2LX, Wales, UK

    Kevin Gallagher, Ahmed Al-Janabi & Aijing Wang

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  1. Kevin Gallagher
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  2. Ahmed Al-Janabi
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  3. Aijing Wang
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Contributions

KG and AA-J contributed to the study conception and design. All authors contributed to data collection and analysis. The first draft of the manuscript was written by KG, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Kevin Gallagher.

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Gallagher, K., Al-Janabi, A. & Wang, A. The ocular manifestations of relapsing polychondritis. Int Ophthalmol 43, 2633–2641 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-023-02662-w

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