Open label pragmatic two-stage non-randomized trial comparing the effectiveness of five different standard of care treatment options for patients with relapsing polychondritis (RP).
Bilateral auricular chondritis
Non-erosive seronegative polyarthritis
Nasal chondritis
Ocular inflammation
Severe airway inflammation with supplemental oxygen requirement, tracheostomy, airway stenting, ventilation. Patients with prior history of severe airway disease, who currently have damage will be eligible if they have mild- moderate active disease within the past 60 days at the time of enrollment.
Central nervous system (CNS) disease (meningitis, encephalitis, optic neuritis) requiring hospitalization/ treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone/ cyclophosphamide.
Cardiac disease (symptomatic valve dysfunction, heart failure) requiring active treatment for heart failure/ hospitalization/ consideration for surgery.
Severe ophthalmologic manifestations: severe scleritis, uveitis, retinal vasculitis, optic neuritis which is imminently vision threatening.