Gout and pseudogout are the two most common crystal-induced arthropathies. Gout is caused by monosodium urate monohydrate crystals; pseudogout is caused by calcium pyrophosphate crystals and is more accurately termed "calcium pyrophosphate disease".
Crystal deposition can be asymptomatic, but gout and calcium pyrophosphate disease can develop into debilitating illnesses marked by recurrent episodes of pain and joint inflammation that result from the formation of crystals within the joint space and deposition of crystals in soft tissue. If untreated, these disorders can lead to joint destruction and, in the case of uric acid crystals, renal damage.
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Cite this: Herbert S. Diamond. Fast Five Quiz: Are You Prepared to Confront Gout? - Medscape - Dec 10, 2015.
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