Chondrocalcinosis and arthropathy: Studies in haemochromatosis and in idiopathic chondrocalcinosis1

Abstract

The clinical, biochemical and radiological features of sixty patients with chondrocalcinosis have been described. There were 40 patients with no associated metabolic abnormality, who formed an idiopathic group; these were contrasted with 20 patients with haemochromatosis and chondrocalcinosis. In idiopathic chondrocalcinosis osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, hips and knees was a common finding, although in one case there was an unexplained destructive arthritis. In haemochromatosis the chondrocalcinosis was associated with a specific arthritis which most frequently involved the metacarpophalangeal joints and wrists. Episodes of acute crystal synovitis were common to both groups, occurring in 24 patients. Crystals of calcium pyrophosphate were found in 20 samples of joint fluid from the idiopathic group and in six synovial biopsies. No abnormality of iron metabolism was detected and the incidence of diabetes mellitus was not increased in idiopathic chondrocalcinosis.The majority of cases of idiopathic chondrocalcinosis were over 60 years old and there was an age difference between the sexes, women being significantly older than the men. Calcification of fibro-cartilage was equal in both sexes, but. © 1970 OUP Publishing Ltd.