Relapsing polychondritis syndrome associated with pustular psoriasis, spondylitis and arthritis mutilans

Abstract

We describe the first case of pustular psoriasis, HLA-B27 positive spondylitis, arthritis mutilans, and relapsing polychondritis. The relapsing polychondritis was mild and long undetected. Relapsing polychondritis is seen not uncommonly with a variety of inflammatory skin lesions. Because of this, and because many rheumatic diseases have been observed with relapsing polychondritis, we stress that relapsing polychondritis is a syndrome and not a unique disease. Relapsing polychondritis in mild form may be fairly common; a search for signs and symptoms of chondritis should be a routine part of the workup of patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases and dermatoses.