Alternative Names: Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease; CPPD disease
Pseudogout is a joint disease that can cause attacks of arthritis. Like gout, the condition involves the formation of crystals in the joints. But in pseudogout, the crystals are formed from a salt instead of uric acid.
Pseudogout is caused by the collection of salt called calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD). The buildup of this salt forms crystals in the joints. This leads to attacks of joint swelling and pain in the knees, wrists, ankles, and other joints.
Among older adults, pseudogout is a common cause of sudden (acute) arthritis in one joint.
Pseudogout mainly affects the elderly. However, it can sometimes affect younger patients who have conditions such as:
* Acromegaly
* Hemochromatosis
* Ochronosis
* Parathyroid disease
* Thyroid disease
* Wilson disease
Because the symptoms are similar, pseudogout can be misdiagnosed as:
* Gouty arthritis (gout)
* Osteoarthritis
* Rheumatoid arthritis
Symptoms
* Attacks of joint pain and fluid buildup in the joint, leading to joint swelling
* Chronic (long-term) arthritis
* No symptoms between attacks
Exams and Tests
* An examination of joint fluid would show white blood cells and calcium pyrophosphate crystals.
* Joint x-rays may show joint damage, calcification of cartilage, and calcium deposits in joint spaces.
Careful testing and analysis of crystals found in joints can help the doctor diagnose the condition. Fortunately, because most conditions involving joint pain are treated by the same medicines (such as steroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), an early mistaken diagnosis does not necessarily result in the wrong treatment.
Treatment
Treatment may involve the removal of fluid to relieve pressure within the joint. A needle is placed into the joint and fluid is removed (aspirated).
Steroid injections may be helpful to treat severely inflamed joints. A course of oral steroids is sometimes used when multiple joints are inflamed.
In some cases muscle relaxants and Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) may help ease painful attacks. Colchicine (may be useful in some people.
Gout produces sudden, recurring attacks of very painful arthritis, which are caused by deposits of crystals that accumulate in the joints. Pseudogout is very similar but involves a different type of crystal.
Men are more likely to develop gout than women are. People with kidney disease or who are taking certain drugs are also at a higher risk. Gout usually develops during middle age in men and after menopause in women, while pseudogout tends to affect older people of both sexes equally.
More Symptoms
Gout causes attacks of sudden, severe pain in one or more joints. The pain becomes worse with time and may become excruciating. The affected joint swells and the skin over it becomes warm, tight, shiny, reddish-purple and extremely painful. The base of the big toe is most often affected, followed by the instep, ankle, knee, wrist and elbow. Gout may also cause fever, chills and a rapid heartbeat.
Pseudogout causes widely varying symptoms of joint pain and stiffness, which may be constant or occasional but are usually less severe than gout symptoms.
Other Treatments
* During an attack, NSAIDs, colchicine and sometimes corticosteroids to reduce pain and inflammation
* To prevent an attack, weight loss and dietary changes or low-dose NSAIDS and/or colchicine
* Other drugs (probenecid, sulfinpyrazone and allopurinol) to reduce chance of gout crystals forming in the joints
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Related posts:
- Pseudogout Disease
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- About Pseudogout Disease
- Pseudogout Diagnosis Methods
- Gout and Pseudogout Treatment
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