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Gout is a type of arthritis caused by hyperuricemia (high serum uric acid) leading to deposits of urate crystals in tissues and joints.
Tests generally appear in the order most useful for common clinical situations
| Test name: Cell Count, Body Fluid |
| ARUP #: 0095019 |
| Methodology: Cell Count/Differential |
| Use: May help differentiate gout from septic arthritis |
| Test name: Crystals (Local Clients Only) |
| ARUP #: 0009500 |
| Methodology: Microscopy/Polarizing Microscopy |
| Use: Gold standard for diagnosis of gout |
| Limitations: Lack of crystals does not rule out gout Sensitivity: 84%, specificity: 100% |
| Test name: Gram Stain |
| ARUP #: 0060101 |
| Methodology: Stain/Microscopic Exam |
| Use: Rule out septic arthritis |
| Test name: Body Fluid Culture (Includes Gram Stain 0060101) |
| ARUP #: 0060108 |
| Methodology: Standard reference procedures for bacterial stain, aerobic culture, and identification. Anaerobe culture performed on properly collected specimens |
| Use: Rule out septic arthritis |
| Test name: Uric Acid, Serum or Plasma |
| ARUP #: 0020026 |
| Methodology: Quantitative Spectrophotometry |
| Use: Aid in diagnosis of gout |
| Limitations: Lack of elevation does not rule out gout (may also be normal during acute attack) |
| Follow-up: If performed during acute attack and normal, repeat when joint normalizes |
| Test name: CBC with Platelet Count & Automated Differential |
| ARUP #: 0040003 |
| Methodology: Automated Cell Count with Flow Cell Differential |
| Use: May aid in differentiating gout from septic joint |
| Test name: Urea Nitrogen, Serum or Plasma |
| ARUP #: 0020023 |
| Methodology: Quantitative Spectrophotometry |
| Use: Assess renal function in gout |
| Test name: Creatinine, Serum or Plasma |
| ARUP #: 0020025 |
| Methodology: Quantitative Enzymatic |
| Use: Assess renal function in gout |
| Test name: Uric Acid, Urine |
| ARUP #: 0020481 |
| Methodology: Quantitative Spectrophotometry |
| Comments: |
| Test name: Uric Acid, Body Fluid |
| ARUP #: 0020513 |
| Methodology: Quantitative Spectrophotometry |
| Comments: |