Drug-induced chronic gout, unspecified hand, with tophus

This code signifies chronic gout that has been induced by a medication, affecting an unspecified hand, and presenting with visible or palpable urate crystal deposits (tophi). The condition is characterized by persistent inflammation and joint damage due to elevated uric acid levels, directly attributed to drug therapy.

Use this code when documentation explicitly states drug-induced chronic gout affecting the hand, and the presence of tophi is noted. This typically applies to patients with a history of medication use (e.g., diuretics, aspirin) leading to hyperuricemia and subsequent chronic gouty arthritis with tophaceous deposits.

• Ensure documentation clearly links the gout to a specific drug and confirms chronicity and tophi.
• Do not use this code for acute drug-induced gout or chronic gout without tophi.
• Consider an additional code for the specific drug causing the adverse effect, if known and clinically relevant.