Find information on Rheumatoid Arthritis Involving Multiple Sites including clinical documentation, medical coding, ICD-10 codes M05, M06, and related diagnostic criteria. Learn about symptoms, treatment, and healthcare management for multi-site RA. This resource provides guidance for physicians, coders, and healthcare professionals dealing with the complexities of documenting and coding this specific condition. Explore resources related to differential diagnosis, disease activity assessment, and best practices for comprehensive patient care in cases of widespread rheumatoid arthritis.
Also known as
Rheumatoid arthritis with involvement of multiple sites
Rheumatoid arthritis affecting multiple joints or body areas.
Other rheumatoid arthritis
Includes other forms of RA like juvenile and seronegative RA.
Gout
Inflammatory arthritis caused by uric acid crystal deposits.
Polyarthropathy
Arthritis affecting multiple joints, not classified elsewhere.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the rheumatoid arthritis active?
Yes
Is it seropositive?
No
Is there history of active RA?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Rheumatoid arthritis, multiple joints |
| Rheumatoid arthritis, unspecified |
| Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis |
Coding RA without specifying laterality (left, right, bilateral) leads to inaccurate severity reflection and reimbursement issues. Use M05.84 or M05.74 with laterality codes.
Failing to document RA disease activity (e.g., active, inactive, remission) using M05.xx or M06.xx affects quality reporting and payment. CDI can clarify.
Coding multiple joints with non-specific codes (M19.90) instead of individual joint codes (M15-M19) hinders accurate data analysis and research.
Patient presents with polyarticular rheumatoid arthritis involving multiple joints, fulfilling the 2010 ACR EULAR classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms include persistent morning stiffness lasting greater than 30 minutes, symmetrical joint pain, swelling, and tenderness affecting the hands (MCP, PIP joints), wrists, feet (MTP joints), and ankles bilaterally. Elevated inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), are noted. Radiographic findings demonstrate erosions and joint space narrowing consistent with rheumatoid arthritis. Patient reports significant functional limitations impacting activities of daily living (ADL) due to pain and reduced range of motion. Differential diagnoses considered include osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and lupus. Assessment confirms a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis involving multiple sites (ICD-10 code M06.9). The treatment plan includes initiation of methotrexate, a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), with folic acid supplementation. NSAIDs are prescribed for symptomatic relief of pain and inflammation. Patient education provided regarding disease management, medication side effects, and the importance of regular follow-up for monitoring disease activity and treatment efficacy. Referral to physical therapy and occupational therapy initiated to improve joint function and mobility. Prognosis discussed, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and ongoing treatment to minimize long-term joint damage and disability. Future plans include assessment for biologic DMARDs if inadequate response to methotrexate is observed.