[Hydroxyapatite rheumatism (multiple tendon calcification disease). I.- Clinical study]

Abstract

A study was made of 45 patients suffering from hydroxyapatite rheumatism (multiple tendon calcifications disease). There were 36 women and 9 men aged between 15 and 61 years with an average age of 14. The following joints were involved (the first figure refers to clinical affection, that between brackets to radiologically demonstrable calcifications): shoulder 34 (36); neck 14 (15); wrist 18 (11); fingers 19 (17); hip 11 (29); knee 14 (18); ankle 10 (14); foot 5 (6); spinal column 16 (24). In 30 patients the disease manifested itself in the form of acute recurrent migratory arthritis resembling gout. In 8 cases, it developed in the form of acute recurrent migratory arthritis resembling gout. In 8 cases, it developed in the form of acute polyarthritis and in 7 as rheumatoid arthritis without radiological lesions. Thirty-two patients could be followed up. Four of them were cured, 9 showed improvement but still suffered attacks of pain. Eighteen patients were not improved, their pains growing more chronic. Four patients had a family history of multiple tendon calcifications disease.