What is pseudogout ?
Published April 16, 2024 | 
- What is pseudogout and how can it be diagnosed? What are the treatments? -
Pseudogout (false gout) is a form of arthritis caused by the deposition of crystals in one or more joints. Unlike the usual gout that is due to crystals of uric acid, in pseudogout the crystals are calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CCPD).
The presence of crystals in a joint usually causes an intense inflammation, leading to pain, swelling and redness of the joint. Pseudogout usually involves large joints such as the knees, wrists and ankles. Gout due to uric acid typically involves the first joint of the big toe. (See graphic below.)
Whereas gout occurs overwhelmingly in men, pseudogout occurs with about the same frequency in women and men and increases with age.
An X-ray of an involved joint may show the deposit of calcium in the cartilage of the joint surface (chondrocalcinosis) that suggests the diagnosis, but proof requires the removal of fluid from the involved joint. Using polarized light under a microscope, it’s possible to identify the crystals of CCPD to confirm pseudogout rather than gout. There is no effective treatment to remove calcium from the cartilage and other joint structures, but use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) or injection of steroids into the joint may be of benefit.