Work

Imprecise Coding in Allergic Contact Dermatitis: A Register‐Study From Northern Finland Between Years 1999 and 2022

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Registry-based data are increasingly used in dermatological research. A recent epidemiological study has shown that the use of non-specific diagnostic codes is common among dermatologists. OBJECTIVES: To study closely the use of the diagnostic codes L23.8 ('allergic contact dermatitis [ACD] for other agents') and L23.9 ('ACD with unspecified cause') by using single-centre data. PATIENTS/MATERIALS/METHODS: This retrospective study included all patients whose record contained at least one entry of either code, recorded at the Oulu University Hospital, Finland, between the Years 1999 and 2022. RESULTS: The database search retrieved records of 472 patients with the L23.8 code, 264 patients with L23.9. Over the 20-year follow-up period, the use of L23.8 increased and that of L23.9 decreased. In most (85.1%) cases, the L23.8 code was used even though the more specified L23 code could have been chosen. In one-third of cases, L23.8 was used to cover ACD with multiple allergens that would otherwise be identified by their specific sub-codes. The L23.9 code was used most often prior to patch testing (69.1% cases). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed several imprecisions in the use of both codes. Our study highlights the importance of correct coding in clinical practice, as it emphasises the most common pitfalls.

Source: Contact Dermatitis

DOI: 10.1111/cod.14744