How is Relapsing Polychondritis diagnosed?

See how Relapsing Polychondritis is diagnosed. Which specialists are essential to meet, what tests are needed and other useful information for the diagnosis of Relapsing Polychondritis

Posted Apr 26, 2017 by Freya 1000

There is no specific test for rp. Diagnosis is based on a collection of data such as symptoms and scans of trachea etc
Diagnosis is difficult as the various symptoms may be similar to and mistaken for other, more common diseases. There are no blood tests which can confirm RP and diagnosis is usually made on clinical symptoms alone. Due to the rarity of the condition, clinicians are often unfamiliar with the symptoms and patients occasionally wait years before getting a diagnosis.

Doctors will diagnose Relapsing Polychondritis on observing at least three of the following:

inflammation of cartilage in the ears (excluding the soft lower earlobe)
pain and swelling in several joints
inflammation of the nose cartilage
eye inflammation
inflammation of the cartilage in the windpipe
hearing loss/tinnitus/vertigo

Posted Apr 27, 2017 by Lisa Matthews (Lissy) 4800

It is really very difficult to diagnose. Most of the time it has to come to deformity / redness of ears and nose so that the doctors can understand what is really happening.

Posted Apr 27, 2017 by Laoura 2050

My diagnosis was clinically based. Very obvious Ear involvement. Classic symptoms, but only picked up by a very astute ENT specialist. Biopsy is very unreliable. Once I was diagnosed there was no need to question the diagnosis. It was very obvious that I had Relapsing Polychondritis. I had already been diagnosed with Autoimmune Haemolytic anaemia and dysautonomia.

Posted Aug 9, 2017 by Louise C 1450

Most patients are diagnosed by having at least 3 major symptoms of RP. Some have biopsies but I do not believe it is necessary.

Posted Aug 14, 2017 by Susan 2000

I was not diagnosed for 10-15 years. It was an Internal Medicine doctor who finally diagnosed me. He is known to be a great diagnostician. I explained my history to him. I was in a flare at the time. When he saw my red ears, he told me immediately what he suspected. I had never heard of RP before. I had searched many diseases on the computer to try to find my symptoms. RP never came up. My Internal med doctor sent me to a Rheumy who ran many blood tests to check for inflammation and other underlying diseases of RP.

Posted Sep 1, 2017 by Diane 2050

Symptoms. Biopsy recommended but not always conclusive

Posted Jun 11, 2019 by [email protected] 1000

ENT doctor ears and nose need looked at

Posted Jun 12, 2019 by Tmrcarlson 3550

Relapsing polychondritis is diagnosed by using mcadams criteria. It is a clinical diagnosis. Some specialists now insist on a biopsy however these are usually inconclusive and only 40% reliable.

Posted Jun 12, 2019 by Kaz 3000

There's no blood test for rp. Symptoms, mcadams criteria and signs of inflammation with or without inflammation markers, particularly seen in the ears.

Posted Dec 30, 2019 by Leanne 2500

It is a clinical diagnosis, testing is often used to exclude other conditions

Posted Dec 30, 2019 by Carrie 3050

In the 1980's little was known about the disease. My eye swelled and turned beet red with excruciating pain. I went to an ophthalmologist who said only two things could cause the condition - glaucoma which she said I did not have or relapsing polychondritis. I then went to a rhumatologist who diagnosed it through enzymes in the blood.

Posted Mar 20, 2022 by shlawver 2500