Drug-induced chronic gout, left shoulder, without tophus

This code signifies chronic inflammatory arthritis of the left shoulder caused by a medication, specifically characterized by the deposition of uric acid crystals without the formation of visible or palpable tophi. The condition is persistent and results from an adverse drug reaction leading to hyperuricemia and subsequent gouty attacks.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates chronic gout affecting the left shoulder, explicitly attributed to a drug, and the absence of tophaceous deposits is noted. This code is appropriate for patients experiencing ongoing symptoms of drug-induced gout in the left shoulder.

• Ensure documentation specifies "chronic" gout and explicitly links it to a drug.
• Verify the affected joint is the left shoulder and that tophi are absent.
• Always code the adverse effect of the drug (T36-T50 with a 5th or 6th character of 5) as a secondary diagnosis.