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Gout - Making a diagnosis
What else might it be?
- Septic arthritis:
- Septic arthritis must be considered in any person who is systemically unwell (with or without a temperature) and an acutely painful, hot, swollen joint. It is important to diagnose septic arthritis promptly, as late recognition can be fatal. If suspected, refer for emergency joint aspiration and culture.
- Non-urate crystal-induced arthropathy, such as:
- Pseudogout; calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD).
- Hydroxyapatite crystal deposition disease (basic calcium phosphate crystallopathy).
- Combined CPPD and hydroxyapatite crystallopathy.
- Osteoarthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Reactive arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Seronegative spondyloarthropathy
- Haemochromatosis
[Warrell et al, 2003a]
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