ABSTRACT
Familial forms of the crystal-induced arthropathies occur in almost all ethnic
groups and are frequently characterized by early onset and severe clinical
manifestations. Despite their relative rarity, inherited forms of these arthropathies
often provide insights into critical mechanisms important in the development of
idiopathic as well as familial varieties of these diseases. The purpose of this
chapter is to review the current status of gene discovery in the crystal-induced
arthropathies and to describe the putative role of these genes in the pathogenesis
of the corresponding diseases.
