Pseudogout is a form of arthritis that has symptoms similar to those of gout. However, pseudogout is the body’s inflammatory reaction to a different type of crystal deposit; specifically calcium pyrophosphate deposits. Therefore pseudogout is also referred to as calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease, and can be severely debilitating. Commonly affected joints include:
- Wrists
- Shoulders
- Elbows
- Ankles
- Hands
Causes of Pseudogout
While it is known that pseudogout is developed by calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposits, and that age is proven to be a factor in increasing crystals, the exact cause of these initial deposits is unknown. Possible causes include:
- Genetics
- Hypothyroidism
- Hemochromatosis, or too much iron storage
- Depleted magnesium levels in blood
- Overactive parathyroid gland
- hypercalcemia, or other causes of excess levels of calcium in the blood
Victims of Pseudogout
While only 3% of people in their 60s have these crystals, as many as 50% of those in their 90s are affected by pseudogout. Any abuse to the joints can trigger the inflammatory, painful response that is pseudogout.
Is Pseudogout Curable?
Because the exact cause of pseudogout is not clear, the prevention and treatment for pseudogout are also ambiguous. It is important to catch the disease early for the best pain management. Unfortunately there is no treatment yet available to dissolve the crystals.
What’s the Correlation to Gout?
Other than being a type of arthritis and showing similar symptoms, nothing. Pseudogout adopted its name because its symptoms are so similar to gout that it is easily confused with it before diagnosis.
The fundamental difference between gout and pseudogout are the type of crystal deposits in the joints:
- gout is caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals;
- pseudogout is caused by the buildup of calcium crystals.
Also different are the causes:
- Gout is linked to obesity, alcohol, hypertension, and hyperuricemia
- Pseudogout is associated with the risk factors listed above, none of which are causes of gout
Still different are the patients:
- Gout patients are largely middle aged, obese men and postmenopausal women
- Pseudogout patients tend to be very elderly and there is no connection to obesity or sex hormones
Diagnosis is Essential
Because this disease is somewhat rare and looks so similar to gout, it is common for doctors to assume that pseudogout actually is gout. Only a diagnosis can prove the difference as the presence of calcium pyrophosphate deposits are confirmed.
http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/pseudogout_new.asp
