The reliability of diagnostic coding and laboratory data to identify tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial disease among rheumatoid arthritis patients using anti‐tumor necrosis factor therapy

Abstract

The sensitivity and predictive value of electronic microbiologic data for tuberculosis and NTM infections is generally high, but varies with different facilities or models of care. Unlike NTM, tuberculosis diagnostic codes have poor PPV, and in the absence of laboratory data, should be combined with anti-tuberculous therapy dispensings for pharmacoepidemiologic research.