CPPD is known by other names including:
Calcium deposits found in CPPD, can trigger inflammatory arthritis and joint pain. Risk of a CPPD attack does greatly increase with age. According to American College of Rheumatology, CPPD crystals are present in as many as 50% of people in their nineties, though not everyone will experience symptoms.
CPPD attacks often affect the knees. CPPD can also affect:CPPD: Diagnosis & Treatment
Receiving a diagnosis of CPPD is often delayed since symptoms are similar to and mistaken for other arthritic conditions including:
In fact, CPPD can occur in those with osteoarthritis, or other arthritides.
CPPD can often be mistaken as gouty arthritis (gout). However, in gout, the crystal deposits are made up of uric acid, not calcium phosphate. Proper diagnosis depends on analyzing which type of crystal is affecting the joint. Since CPPD is different than gout, treatment of CPPD is not the same as gout. Although, some medications are used to treat both conditions.
Related Resources
Sources: Pseudogout, American College of Rheumatology, April 2004; Pseudogout, William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR, MedicineNet 10/30/2005; What You Need to Know About Pseudogout, The Cleveland Clinic, 11/21/2005
