Posted by Enrique Geiger (152.163.206.197) on March 07, 2001 at 09:54:38:
In Reply to: Diagnostic Codes posted by John B on March 07, 2001 at 07:21:36:
These are internationally accepted codes which are constantly being refined.
The following are searches for relevant keywords and the corresponding diagnostic codes.
. icd9 search headache
2 matches found:
307.81 tension headache
784.0 headache
. icd9 search migraine
6 matches found:
346 migraine*
346.0 classical migraine*
346.1 common migraine*
346.2 variants of migraine*
346.8 migraine nec*
346.9 migraine nos*
. icd9 search cluster
(no matches found)
As we can see, CH is not well defined or represented, and that is the reason I couldn't add CH in my series of Performance Reports (see an example: Myomectomy, which may be to Hysterectomy what Lumpectomy is to Mastectomy, at http://www.medicalconsumers.org/Performance_Reports_1999/Myomectomy99.htm). That is also the reason I suggested that the OUCH questionnaire include questions designed to extract data necessary for compiling a list of doctors treating CH and how experienced they are, with questions relevant also to the quality of care, compassion, knowledge and general competence, and that the results be published for our benefit.
I have analyzed many administrative files from government sources, for over 20 years, under various diagnostically related coding systems, and I haven't found that having a clearly defined code for any diagnosis or procedure improves the chances of the condition being widely recognized.
More likely, a clearly defined code for any condition may be a consequence of the condition being better known and addressed than CH.