Lead-induced chronic gout, unspecified hand, without tophus

This code signifies a chronic inflammatory arthritis affecting an unspecified hand, specifically caused by lead exposure. It describes the presence of recurrent gout attacks without the formation of visible or palpable urate crystal deposits (tophi). The condition is characterized by pain, swelling, and redness in the affected hand joints.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of chronic gout directly attributed to lead poisoning, affecting an unspecified hand. The patient's medical record should confirm the absence of tophi and specify the chronic nature of the condition. This code is appropriate when the specific hand (left or right) is not documented.

• Ensure documentation explicitly links the gout to lead exposure.
• Verify the absence of tophi; if tophi are present, a different code from the M1A.14 series would be appropriate.
• If the specific hand is known (left or right), use a more specific code from the M1A.14 series.