Info

calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate - cppd - deposition disease

Definition (NEJM 2016;374:2575)

  • Deposition of CPPD crystals w/in tendons, ligaments, articular capsules, synovium, cartilage; frequently asymptomatic

Etiologies (Nat Rev Rheumatol 2018;14:592)

  • Most cases idiopathic; consider further metabolic eval in young (<50 y) and florid forms

  • Metabolic (3 H’s):

    • hemochromatosis
    • hyperparathyroidism;
    • hypomagnesemia (esp. in Gitelman’s or Bartter’s syndromes)
  • Joint trauma (incl. previous surgery);

  • intra-articular hyaluronate can precipitate attacks

  • Familial chondrocalcinosis (autosomal dominant disorder); early-onset, polyarticular dis.

  • Clinical manifestations of CPPD

  • Diagnostic studies of CPPD

Treatment (NEJM 2016;374:2575)

  • Asymptomatic chondrocalcinosis requires no treatment
  • Acute therapy for pseudogout: no RCTs, extrapolated from practice in gout; ∴ same as for gout, though colchicine not as effective
  • If associated metabolic disease, Rx of underlying disorder may improve arthritis sx
  • Low-dose daily colchicine or NSAID may be effective for prophylaxis or chronic arthropathy