Gout/CPPD
What is Gout/CPPD?
Gout is an inflammatory arthritis caused by uric acid crystals in and around joints. Raised uric acid levels are the main risk factor for this, and are usually caused by one or more from the following list:
- Kidney impairment
- Medicines such as diuretics and long term aspirin
- High alcohol consumption (particularly beer)
- Family history of gout
- Excessive fructose consumption (for example in fruit juice)
Gout is more common in men than women (gout is extremely rare in pre-menopausal women).
Gout can cause acutely painful attacks that resolve within 1-2 weeks. The commonest joints involved (in order of frequency) are the big toe, other joints within the feet, ankles, knees, elbows, wrists and hands.
CPPD stands for Calcium Pyrophosphate deposition, also known as pseudo gout. This can often look and feel similar to gout, and also involves crystal build up in the joint but this is calcium based instead of uric acid based. You are likely to need the same tests whether you have gout or CPPD.