Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate Crystal Deposition Disease (CPPD) (Pseudo Gout)
What is it?
Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition disease occurs when these crystals collect in joints and the tissues surrounding the joints. The calcium deposits induce inflammation in the joint, which can cause cartilage within the joint to break down. The disease can take a few different arthritis-related forms:
- Acute arthritis often called pseudogout
- Chronic rheumatoid arthritis-like inflammatory arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
Pseudogout occurs in about one-quarter of all CPPD cases and an osteoarthritis-like disease occurs in about half of all cases. However, many people with CPPD crystal deposits have no joint symptoms at all.
Women and men get the disease equally, and its frequency dramatically increases with age.
Although there is no cure for CPPD deposition or pseudogout attacks, medications can relieve the pain and stiffness associated with the disease. Surgery can restore function and relieve pain in seriously affected joints.
