Definition
Hyperuricemia refers to an increased uric acid concentration in the serum. From concentration values of more than 6.5 mg/dl one speaks of an increased uric acid level. The limit value depends on the solubility of the sodium salt of the uric acid.
At concentrations above this level, the uric acid is no longer uniformly dissolved in the serum, but can precipitate in the form of uric acid or urate crystals. These are deposited in the blood and tissue and cause symptoms over time. Typical symptoms occur in the form of acute attacks of gout with severe joint pain and signs of inflammation.
Chronic gout and gouty arthritis can develop as the disease progresses. Basically two causes can be distinguished. The primary hyperuricemia is familial.
In the vast majority of cases, it is a significantly reduced uric acid excretion via the kidneys. The secondary form of hyperuricemia has a different trigger. These include increased uric acid production due to a disturbed purine metabolism or increased uric acid production and reduced excretion as a result of chronic kidney disease, the use of certain diuretics, alcohol abuse and so-called ketoacidosis. Furthermore, the increased breakdown or conversion of cells in the context of malignant tumor diseases can also act as a cause. A frequent trigger in the western world is the increased intake of proteins with food.
ICD 10 Classification
According to ICD-10, the international classification of diseases, hyperuricemia is coded under the number E79. 0. The E79 code summarizes disorders of purine and pyrimidine metabolism.
ICD-10 is the most important diagnostic system for classifying diseases. It is accepted worldwide and is published by the World Health Organization, WHO. The number E79.
0 stands for asymptomatic hyperuricemia. In this form, there are no signs of inflammation of the joints (arthritis) or the formation of nodules on bones and soft tissues (tophic gout). If the hyperuricemia manifests itself in the form of precipitating urate crystals and becomes symptomatic, it is called gout. It receives the coding M10 according to ICD-10.
