Evidence of a systemic predisposition to chondrocalcinosis (CC) and association between CC and osteoarthritis at distant joints: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether there is a systemic predisposition to chondrocalcinosis (CC) and to examine the association between CC and osteoarthritis (OA) at distant joints. METHODS: A cross sectional study embedded in GOAL (Genetics of Osteoarthritis and Lifestyle) database (n=3,170). All GOAL participants have had radiographs of knees, hands, and pelvis. These were scored for OA at the knee, hip, wrist, and MCPJ; for CC at the knee, hip, wrist, symphysis pubis, and for MCPJ calcification. Systemic predisposition to CC was established using cluster analysis. OR (95%CI) was used to examine the association between CC at index and distant joints; CC and OA at the same joint; and, index joint OA and distant joint CC. This was adjusted for age, gender, BMI; and for distant joint OA if required. RESULTS: Joints with CC clustered together. This was observed when participants with OA were excluded from the analysis. CC at each joint associated with CC at distant joints. Knee and wrist OA but not hip OA associated with CC at same joint. MCPJ OA associated with MCPJ calcification. Knee OA associated with CC at other joints, and this was independent of OA at the distant joint. There was no association between hip OA and distant joint CC. CONCLUSIONS: There is a systemic predisposition to the apparently sporadic CC. OA associates with CC at the same joint, and at distant joints, except hip OA which does not associate with hip CC, or with CC at distant joints. (c) 2013 by the American College of Rheumatology.