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Table 3 Positive predictive values and 95% confidence intervals of the algorithms to define rheumatoid arthritis in health care utilization data

From: Validation of rheumatoid arthritis diagnoses in health care utilization data

Gold standard definition

A. At least 2 claims for RA

B. At least 3 claims for RA

C. At least 2 claims from a rheumatologista

DMARD prescription filling is not required

Number

131

110

84

RA per rheumatologists, number

73

72

56

PPV

(95% CI)

55.7

(46.8-64.4)

65.5

(55.8-74.3)

66.7

(55.5-76.6)

At least 4 ACR criteria, number

44

44

33

PPV

(95% CI)

33.6

(25.6-42.4)

40.0

(30.8-49.8)

39.3

(28.8-50.6)

At least 3 ACR criteria, number

56

56

42

PPV

(95% CI)

42.8

(34.2-51.7)

50.9

(41.2-60.6)

50.0

(38.9-61.1)

At least 1 DMARD prescription filling is required

Number

58

56

45

RA per rheumatologists, number

50

49

40

PPV

(95% CI)

86.2

(74.6-93.9)

87.5

(75.9-94.8)

88.9

(76.0-96.3)

At least 4 ACR criteria, number

34

34

25

PPV

(95% CI)

58.6

(44.9-71.4)

60.7

(46.8-73.5)

55.6

(40.0-70.4)

At least 3 ACR criteria, number

42

42

33

PPV

(95% CI)

72.4

(59.1-83.3)

75.0

(61.6-85.6)

73.3

(58.1-85.4)

  1. Positive predictive values (PPVs) are presented as a percentage. aAt least 7 days were required between the claims. ACR, American College of Rheumatology; CI, confidence interval; DMARD, disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; RA, rheumatoid arthritis.