Drug-induced chronic gout, left wrist, without tophus

This code signifies a persistent inflammatory arthritis caused by elevated uric acid levels, specifically induced by medication, affecting the left wrist. It indicates the absence of tophi, which are visible or palpable deposits of uric acid crystals. The condition is chronic, implying ongoing or recurrent symptoms.

Apply this code when documentation clearly states a diagnosis of chronic gout in the left wrist, explicitly linked to drug causation. Supporting documentation should identify the causative drug and confirm the absence of tophaceous deposits. This code is appropriate for patients experiencing long-term or recurring gout flares in the left wrist due to medication.

• Ensure the documentation specifies "chronic" gout and explicitly links it to a drug.
• Verify the affected joint is the "left wrist" and that "without tophus" is clearly stated.
• Always code the adverse effect of the drug (T36-T50 with a 5th or 6th character of 5) as a secondary diagnosis to identify the specific medication.