Mehlman Complete Practice Exam 2026

Pseudogout occurs when calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals deposit in the joints, triggering acute inflammatory arthritis. Certain metabolic conditions strongly increase the risk of CPPD deposition, with the two classic associations being hyperparathyroidism and hemochromatosis.

Hyperparathyroidism disrupts calcium and phosphate balance, promoting environments in which CPPD crystals can form and deposit in joint cartilage. Hemochromatosis causes iron overload that damages joint tissues and favors CPPD crystal formation, often leading to chondrocalcinosis visible on imaging.

Other conditions listed—such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, gout or lupus, and nonspecific issues like vitamin D deficiency or anemia—do not represent the primary, well-established metabolic triggers for CPPD deposition that underlie pseudogout.