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Using health insurance administrative data to explore patch testing utilization in Ontario, Canada—An untapped resource
Author(s) -
Arrandale Victoria H.,
Holness Dorothy L.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
contact dermatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0536
pISSN - 0105-1873
DOI - 10.1111/cod.13229
Subject(s) - patch testing , medicine , test (biology) , patch test , work (physics) , specialty , population , family medicine , environmental health , contact dermatitis , allergy , engineering , paleontology , mechanical engineering , immunology , biology
Background Patch testing is the key diagnostic test for diagnosing allergic contact dermatitis, but there is limited information on the use of patch testing at the population level. Objectives To utilize Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) data to analyse trends in the rate of patch testing in Ontario. Methods Patch testing billing data submitted to the OHIP between 1992 and 2014 were analysed. Two patch test billing codes were investigated: one for work‐related testing (G198), and one for non‐work‐related testing (G206). Rates of patch testing overall were calculated, and trends over time were described. Results There were 51 576 patch test billings: 48 416 non‐work‐related and 3160 work‐related. The annual rate of non‐work‐related patch testing (G206) ranged from 11.9 per 100 000 people to 25.9 per 100 000 people, increasing over time. The rate of work‐related patch testing (G198) ranged from 0.17 to 2.32 per 1 000 000 people, and was relatively stable. The overall distribution of billing by specialty was 70% dermatology, 19% other medical subspecialties, and 10% paediatrics and family medicine. Conclusions Administrative health data can contribute to a more complete understanding of patch test utilization at the population level and, over time, can be used to track patch testing practices.