A review on diagnosis and treatment approaches to calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease

Abstract

Introduction and purpose of this work

CPPD is an arthropathy related to calcium pyrophosphate crystals’ deposition in joints triggering an inflammatory response leading to local articular damage. CPPD mainly affects the large and weight-bearing joints.In this review paper, our aim is to outline the current knowledge on epidemiology, origins, clinical manifest, diagnostical tools, new guidelines of the (ACR) and  (EULAR) and current treatment options for CPPD.

Methods:

We performed a systematic electronic search on PubMed, Medline and Google Scholar databases. The search results were limited to publications from 2002 to 2024, as well as key studies and reference books from earlier years.

Brief description of the state of knowledge

 CPP crystals in joints can lead to an inflammatory response and lead to joint damage. CPPD is the third most common reason of arthritis. Its origin is rather idiopathic, but there has been research showing the linkage of this disease to genetical background and some metabolic disorders.The treatment is chosen based on the phenotype of the disease.conventional pharmacological treatment includes NSAIDs, colchicine and corticosteroids. New opportunities to CPPD treatment have appeared thanks to biological medications which inhibit the inflammatory process.

Summary

Early diagnosis of CPPD, distinguishing it from other forms of arthritis and identifying the possible co-occurring diseases such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis can help the clinicians to apply the proper treatment . Most patients are seniors  with several comorbidities, this is why it is important to choose the right treatment, which prevents exacerbation of the inflammatory process and ensures high quality of life for the patients.