Back to Journals » Clinical Epidemiology » Volume 17

Prima Soultoni Akbar, Elystia Vidia Marselina

Medical Record and Health Information Department, Poltekkes Kemenkes Malang, Kota Malang, Jawa Timur, Indonesia

Correspondence: Prima Soultoni Akbar, Poltekkes Kemenkes Malang, Jl. Ijen 77C, Malang, Indonesia, Email [email protected]

View the original paper by Mrs Dudina and colleagues

Dear editor

I am writing to express my appreciation for the study conducted by Dudina et al, which thoroughly evaluated the positive predictive value (PPV) of the ICD-10 diagnosis code K75.0 for pyogenic liver abscess (PLA). The research addresses a critical gap in validating diagnostic codes, enhancing their utility in epidemiological datasets. This is particularly significant given the morbidity and mortality associated with PLA.1 The study found an overall PPV of 77%, with the highest accuracy observed in medical departments (88%) compared to surgical (69%) and emergency departments (56%). Such variability emphasizes the need for enhanced training and standardized diagnostic protocols, particularly in high-misclassification settings. Moreover, the use of comprehensive integration of microbiological, clinical, and imaging data demonstrates the study’s strength in bridging diagnostic gaps. The high rate of culture-positive validations (66%) aligns with global best practices, though challenges persist in distinguishing PLA from other hepatic or intra-abdominal conditions, as evidenced by a 23% misclassification rate.1 While the study provides valuable insights, future research could benefit from including sensitivity and specificity analyses to complement the findings. Additionally, leveraging advanced diagnostic tools such as artificial intelligence or molecular diagnostics could further improve diagnostic accuracy.2 The methodology and findings of this study offer a robust model for similar validations in other healthcare settings and diseases.3 In conclusion, this study contributes significantly to the validation of ICD-10 coding in clinical practice, setting a benchmark for improved diagnostic accuracy. It also highlights actionable areas for future research and clinical improvements, ensuring more precise identification and management of PLA cases.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this communication.

References

1. Dudina M, Kobberøe KS, Olesen SS, Nielsen HL. A validation study of the Danish ICD-10 diagnosis code K75.0 for pyogenic liver abscess. Clin Epidemiol. 2024;16:803–810. doi:10.2147/CLEP.S485678

2. Svensson EJA, Bläckberg A, Sunnerhagen T, et al. Increasing incidence of pyogenic liver abscess in Southern Sweden: a population-based study. Infect Dis. 2023;55(6):375–383. doi:10.1080/23744235.2023.2190813

3. Yoo JJ, Lee TK, Kyoung DS, et al. A population-based study of pyogenic liver abscess in Korea: incidence, mortality and temporal trends during 2007–2017. Liver Int. 2021;41(11):2747–2758. doi:10.1111/liv.15034

© 2025 The Author(s). This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License. By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.