Relapsing polychondritis and familial Mediterranean fever—an association

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) and familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) are systemic inflammatory disorders with seemingly distinct genetic and pathophysiologic mechanisms. An association between these disorders has been described based on a single case report with few clinical details available. We recently encountered a patient with biopsy-proven RP and genetically confirmed FMF. Following identification of this individual, we conducted a retrospective review of all cases of RP in our institution from 2000–2009 and identified one additional patient with RP who is also a genetic heterozygote for FMF. These cases highlight the previously reported but sparsely documented relationship between these seemingly separate disorders.