Validity of Diagnosis Code-Based Claims to Identify Pulmonary NTM Disease in Bronchiectasis Patients

Abstract

Nontuberculous mycobacteria infection is increasing in incidence and can lead to chronic, debilitating pulmonary disease. We investigated the accuracy of diagnosis code-based nontuberculous mycobacteria lung disease claims among Medicare beneficiaries in the United States. We observed that these claims have moderate validity, but given their low sensitivity, incidence might be underestimated.

Keywords: Medicare claims; bacteria; bronchiectasis; nontuberculous mycobacterial infection; respiratory infections; tuberculosis and other mycobacteria; validation.

Figure

Flow diagram of the analytic sample (n = 403) of Medicare beneficiaries and persons from BRR matched during 2006–2014, United States. Original pool of Medicare beneficiaries (n = 530) included beneficiaries of Medicare parts A, B, and D but not C and excluded those with cystic fibrosis and a history of HIV or organ transplant. BRR, Bronchiectasis and NTM Research Registry.