Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Mortality and morbidity coding for HIV disease are similar and have evolved over time.

Mortality coding: Starting with data year 1999 and the introduction of the Tenth Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), the title for this cause of death was changed to "HIV disease" from "HIV infection" and the ICD codes changed to B20-B24. Beginning with data for 1987, NCHS introduced category numbers *042-*044 for classifying and coding HIV infection as a cause of death in ICD-9. The asterisk before the category numbers indicates that these codes were not part of the original ICD-9. HIV infection was formerly referred to as human T-cell lymphotropic virus-III/
lymphadenopath-associated virus (HTLV-III/LAV) infection. Before 1987 deaths involving HIV infection were classified to Deficiency of cell-mediated immunity (ICD-9 279.1) contained in the title All other diseases; to Pneumocystosis (ICD-9 136.3) contained in the title All other infectious and parasitic diseases; to Malignant neoplasms, including neoplasms of lymphatic and hematopoietic tissues; and to a number of other causes. Therefore, before 1987, death statistics for HIV infection are not strictly comparable with data for 1987 and later years.

Morbidity coding: The National Hospital Discharge Survey codes diagnosis data using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM). Discharges with diagnosis of HIV have at least one HIV diagnosis listed on the face sheet of the medical record and are not limited to the first-listed diagnosis. During 1984 and 1985 only data for AIDS (ICD-9-CM 279.19) were included. In 1986-94, discharges with the following diagnoses were included: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and associated conditions, and positive serological or viral culture findings for HIV (ICD-9-CM 042-044, 279.19, and 795.8). Beginning in 1995 discharges with the following diagnoses were included: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease and asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection status (ICD-9-CM 042 and V08).

SOURCE: Health, United States

Related Links
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
International Classification of Diseases

This page last reviewed January 11, 2007