• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Pseudogout

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Definition:

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.

Alternative Names:

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease; CPPD disease

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Pseudogout is caused by the collection of salt called calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD). The build up 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 , ochronosis , thyroid disease , hemochromatosis , Wilson disease , and parathyroid disease, which are known to increase risk.

Pseudogout can initially be misdiagnosed as gouty arthritis (gout), rheumatoid arthritis , or osteoarthritis because the symptoms are similar.

• Review Date: 8/22/2006
• Reviewed By: Lisa Christopher-Stine, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University,Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.