Lay summary
Calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) disease is an inflammatory arthritis caused by the deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals in joints. It is one of the most common forms of inflammatory arthritis, affecting 4-7% of the population. CPPD often affects the elderly and with the aging population, it is likely to become a condition of public health importance. At present, however, the disease remains poorly understood. The aim of this PhD is to establish New Zealand’s first CPPD cohort, in which patients with CPPD are followed longitudinally to investigate the condition’s natural history, impact on quality-of-life, imaging characteristics and long-term management. Additionally, studies will be undertaken to investigate how different disease labels used for CPPD affect perceptions of the illness, and whether bisphosphonates (medications used for the treatment of osteoporosis) can trigger flares of CPPD. Findings from these studies will advance our knowledge of CPPD and ultimately improve clinical care for patients.