Diagnostic Arthrocentesis for Suspicion of Gout Is Safe and Well Tolerated

J Rheumatol. 2016 Jan;43(1):150-3. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.150684. Epub 2015 Dec 1.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of adverse events of diagnostic arthrocentesis in patients with possible gout.

Methods: Consecutive patients underwent arthrocentesis and were evaluated at 6 weeks to determine adverse events. The 95% CI were obtained by bootstrapping.

Results: 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.

Conclusions: Diagnostic arthrocentesis is associated with a low frequency of adverse events. Septic arthritis rarely occurs.

Keywords: ADVERSE EVENTS; ARTHROCENTESIS; GOUT.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Arthritis, Gouty / classification
  • Arthritis, Gouty / epidemiology
  • Arthritis, Gouty / pathology*
  • Arthrocentesis / adverse effects
  • Arthrocentesis / methods*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Cohort Studies
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gout / complications
  • Gout / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • New Zealand
  • Patient Safety*
  • Poisson Distribution
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sex Distribution