Drug-induced gout, left hand

This diagnosis code signifies gout that has developed as an adverse effect of a medication, specifically affecting the left hand. It indicates an inflammatory arthritis caused by uric acid crystal deposition, directly attributable to drug therapy.

Apply this code when documentation clearly states a diagnosis of gout in the left hand and explicitly links its onset or exacerbation to a prescribed or illicit drug. Supporting documentation should include a medication history and a physician's assessment confirming the drug-induced etiology.

• Ensure the documentation specifies "drug-induced" and not just "gout" to differentiate from other forms.
• Verify the affected joint is the "left hand"; laterality is crucial for accurate coding.
• Always sequence the external cause code (T36-T50 series) identifying the specific drug as a secondary diagnosis.