Chondrocalcinosis in primary hyperparathyroidism. Influence of parathyroid activity and age.

Chondrocalcinosis was detected in 10 of 32 patients with hyperparathyroidism. Those with chondrocalcinosis had greater parathyroid activity than those with no chondrocalcinosis. They were also older. These findings suggest that chondrocalcinosis is caused by the combined effects of sustained hypercalcaemia and age-related changes in articular cartilage.