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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffPseudogout occurs when calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals migrate from the cartilage in and around your joints to the lining of your joint (synovium), causing inflammation.
Although it isn't clear why CPPD crystals form, they appear to be associated with the aging process. However, many older people have CPPD crystals in their joints, but most don't experience signs and symptoms of pseudogout. Symptoms may be more likely to develop when CPPD crystals form and you have:
- A family history of pseudogout
- Joint trauma, such as an injury to or surgery on the affected joint
- Certain medical conditions, such as hyperparathyroidism and amyloidosis
Pseudogout is actually just one feature of calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease. This condition can cause calcification of joint cartilage (chondrocalcinosis) and joint degeneration as well as pseudogout, though you won't necessarily experience all of these manifestations.
- Pseudogout. American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/diseases_and_conditions/pseudogout.asp. Accessed Feb. 15, 2010.
- Mercier LR. Pseudogout. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009: 380. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/182089558-3/949024313/2088/537.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00025-3--sc0320_11038. Accessed Feb. 15, 2010.
- Gravel JG, et al. Rheumatic diseases. In: Rakel RE. Rakel: Textbook of Family Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/182089558-3/949024313/1481/505.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2467-5..50045-2--cesec51_2681. Accessed Feb. 15, 2010.
- Becker MA. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 15, 2010.
- Becker MA. Pathogenesis and etiology of calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 15, 2010.
- Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease (CPPD) (pseudo gout). The Arthritis Foundation. http://www.arthritis.org/disease-center.php?disease_id=7&df=treatments. Accessed Feb. 15, 2010.
- Richette P, et al. An update on the epidemiology of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease. Rheumatology. 2009;48:711.
- Chang-Miller A (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 23, 2010.
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