A single-centre retrospective case series of Anakinra for incident calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease.

In this 2-year retrospective case series, we characterise the calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD) inpatient cohort at a single centre and assess the efficacy and safety of anakinra in its treatment. Adult inpatients with CPPD between 1st September 2020 and 30th September 2022 were identified by ICD-10 codes and confirmed based on clinical diagnosis and either CPP crystals on aspirate or chondrocalcinosis on imaging. Charts were reviewed for demographic, clinical, biochemical data, treatment choice, and response. Response to treatment was determined from chart documentation and calculated from time of first CPPD treatment. Daily responses to anakinra were recorded if anakinra was used. Seventy patients accounting for 79 cases of CPPD were identified. Twelve cases received anakinra, whilst 67 cases received conventional therapy only. Patient receiving anakinra were predominantly male, had multiple comorbidities, and had higher CRPs and serum creatinine when compared to the non-anakinra group. Anakinra was rapidly effective with the mean time to substantial and complete response being 1.7 and 3.6 days respectively. Anakinra was well tolerated. This study adds to the small amount of retrospective data present about the use of anakinra in CPPD. We observed a rapid response to anakinra in our cohort with minimal adverse drug reactions. Key Points • Treatment of CPPD with anakinra appears to be rapidly efficacious without safety concerns.