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Open Access 01-12-2023 | Distal Radius Fracture | Research

Validity of distal radius fracture diagnoses in the Swedish National Patient Register

Authors: Hanna Südow, Linda Sjödin, Cecilia Mellstrand Navarro

Published in: European Journal of Medical Research | Issue 1/2023

Abstract

Distal radius fractures are one of the most common fractures in adults. More research is needed to establish evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to generate cost-effective and fair fracture treatment. The Swedish National Patient Register is a principal source for population-based epidemiologic studies in Sweden. The validity of some–but not all–diagnoses in the register is high. Little is known regarding the validity of registration of distal radius fractures.

A dataset of cases registered with diagnosis of distal radius fracture (S52.5) or distal radius and ulna fracture (S52.6) were collected from the Swedish National Inpatient and Outpatient Registers. Six cohorts, each containing 240 simple random samples, were constructed. Radiographic reports and medical records were reviewed to confirm or reject the diagnosis as well as, in relevant cases, the surgical intervention. Positive predictive values (PPV) were calculated.

The PPV for distal radius fracture in the register ranges between 92 and 100%, lower if coded as S52.6 and higher if there was an adherent code of surgical intervention. Codes for surgical intervention reached a PPV of 95–100%.

In conclusion, the validity of the codes for diagnosis and the surgical treatment of distal radius fracture is high in the Swedish National Patient Register. According to our results, the register may be used as a reliable data source for population-based research of distal radius fractures.

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Title: Validity of distal radius fracture diagnoses in the Swedish National Patient Register
Authors: Hanna Südow
Linda Sjödin
Cecilia Mellstrand Navarro
Publication date: 01-12-2023
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Distal Radius Fracture
Ulna Fracture
Published in: European Journal of Medical Research / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 2047-783X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-023-01314-0

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Validity of distal radius fracture diagnoses in the Swedish National Patient Register

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