Sensitivity and specificity of breast cancer ICD-9-CM codes in three Italian administrative healthcare databases: a diagnostic accuracy study. Issue 7 (23rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abraha, Iosief; Serraino, Diego; Montedori, Alessandro; Fusco, Mario; Giovannini, Gianni; Casucci, Paola; Cozzolino, Francesco; Orso, Massimiliano; Granata, Annalisa; De Giorgi, Marcello; Collarile, Paolo; Chiari, Rita; Foglietta, Jennifer; Vitale, Maria Francesca; Stracci, Fabrizio; Orlandi, Walter; Bidoli, Ettore
• Other Names: author non-byline.; Franchini David author non-byline.; Alessandrini Giuliana author non-byline.; Cirocchi Roberto author non-byline.; Ciullo Valerio author non-byline.; Gobbato Michele author non-byline.; Eusebi Paolo author non-byline.; Grisci Chiara author non-byline.
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 8:Issue 7(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-07-23
• Subjects: sensitivity and specificity -- administrative database -- validity -- breast cancer; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020627
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To assess the accuracy of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes in identifying patients diagnosed with incident carcinoma in situ and invasive breast cancer in three Italian administrative databases. Design: A diagnostic accuracy study comparing ICD-9-CM codes for carcinoma in situ (233.0) and for invasive breast cancer (174.x) with medical chart (as a reference standard). Case definition: (1) presence of a primary nodular lesion in the breast and (2) cytological or histological documentation of cancer from a primary or metastatic site. Setting: Administrative databases from Umbria Region, Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL) Napoli 3 Sud (NA) and Friuli VeneziaGiulia (FVG) Region. Participants: Women with breast carcinoma in situ (n=246) or invasive breast cancer (n=384) diagnosed (in primary position) between 2012 and 2014. Outcome measures: Sensitivity and specificity for codes 233.0 and 174.x. Results: For invasive breast cancer the sensitivities were 98% (95% CI 93% to 99%) for Umbria, 96% (95% CI 91% to 99%) for NA and 100% (95% CI 97% to 100%) for FVG. Specificities were 90% (95% CI 82% to 95%) for Umbria, 91% (95% CI 83% to 96%) for NA and 91% (95% CI 84% to 96%) for FVG. For carcinoma in situ the sensitivities were 100% (95% CI 93% to 100%) for Umbria, 100% (95% CI 95% to 100%) for NA and 100% (95% CI 96% to 100%) for FVG. Specificities were 98% (95% CI 93% to 100%) for Umbria, 86% (95% CI 78% to 92%) for NA and 90% (95% CI 82% to 95%) for FVG. Conclusions: Administrative healthcare databases from Umbria, NA and FVG are accurate in identifying hospitalised news cases of carcinoma of the breast. The proposed case definition is a powerful tool to perform research on large populations of newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer.