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

• bronchiectasis
• nontuberculous mycobacterial infection
• validation
• Medicare claims
• bacteria
• respiratory infections