Diagnostic Performance of the ICD-10 Code K76.82 for Hepatic Encephalopathy in Patients With Cirrhosis

Am J Gastroenterol. 2024 Feb 1;119(2):364-366. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002560. Epub 2023 Nov 1.

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is prevalent and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality among patients with cirrhosis. On October 1, 2022, a new, specific International Classification of Diseases-10 code for HE, K76.82, was introduced. We aimed to analyze the diagnostic accuracy of K76.82.

Methods: Diagnostic performance of K76.82 for HE (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive ratio, and negative predictive ratio) was evaluated in 2 large health systems compared with lactulose, rifaximin, and K72.90.

Results: A total of 2,483 patients were analyzed. The combination term "lactulose or rifaximin" showed the highest sensitivity of >98% while K76.82 demonstrated a specificity of >87% in all cohorts.

Discussion: Although K76.82 is promising, the combination term "lactulose or rifaximin" identified patients with HE more accurately.

MeSH terms

  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Gastrointestinal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy* / diagnosis
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy* / drug therapy
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy* / etiology
  • Humans
  • Hydroxamic Acids*
  • International Classification of Diseases
  • Lactulose / therapeutic use
  • Liver Cirrhosis / complications
  • Liver Cirrhosis / drug therapy
  • Rifamycins* / therapeutic use
  • Rifaximin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Rifaximin
  • Lactulose
  • Gastrointestinal Agents
  • 2-methyl-3-(4-phenylpiperidino)propionohydroxamic acid hydrochloride
  • Rifamycins
  • Hydroxamic Acids