Registry and Repository

In order to develop a comprehensive understanding of relapsing polychondritis we have established the RP Registry. This registry has been developed in order to assemble accurate clinical information including: disease presentation, disease manifestations, co-morbid diseases, family history, exposures and treatment responses. This information is obtained in order to develop an understanding of the course of disease, and response to therapies in patients with RP. The sample repository includes DNA, serum, plasma and PBMC that can be used for studies of the underlying pathogenesis of RP, as well as to develop tests for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Together this information will allow us to better understand the variety of clinical problems that face patients with RP, and identify whether there are factors that predict the severity of disease, and develop an understanding of how this disease differs among individuals with RP. The ability to match clinical information with laboratory findings will allow us to make connections between findings that predict disease activity, severity and outcome, all of which will have the potential to aid in the care of patients with RP in the future.