Diagnostic Arthrocentesis for Suspicion of Gout Is Safe and Well Tolerated.

Taylor, William J; Fransen, Jaap; Dalbeth, Nicola; Neogi, Tuhina; Ralph Schumacher, H; Brown, Melanie; Louthrenoo, Worawit; Vazquez-Mellado, Janitzia et al. · J Rheumatol · 2016

prospective_cohort · Level II

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Abstract

To determine the frequency of adverse events of diagnostic arthrocentesis in patients with possible gout. Consecutive patients underwent arthrocentesis and were evaluated at 6 weeks to determine adverse events. The 95% CI were obtained by bootstrapping. Arthrocentesis was performed in 910 patients, and 887 (97.5%) were evaluated for adverse events. Any adverse event was observed in 12 participants (1.4%, 95% CI 0.6-2.1). There was 1 case (0.1%, 95% CI 0-0.34) of septic arthritis. Diagnostic arthrocentesis is associated with a low frequency of adverse events. Septic arthritis rarely occurs.

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