DIMDI provide a CSV file with metadata on all valid codes. This table is read in with only minor modifications to facilitate changes between versions.
icd_meta_codes
A data.frame containing the following variables:
Year of validity (from 2004)
Level of the hierarchy (3, 4 or 5 digits)
Whether the code is a terminal code (i.e. with no further subcodes) (T: yes; N: no)
Whether the subcode is pre- or postcombinated (X: precombinated; S: postcombinated). Precombinated codes are listed directly under the three-digit ICD code, whereas postcombinated codes are lists of possible values for the fourth and fifth digits that are not specific to the particular code (e.g. the group E10-E14 shares a common list of postcombinated fourth and fifth digits)
Chapter number (arabic digits 1-22)
First code in the respective ICD block, can be used to join with the table ICD10gm::icd_meta_blocks
Full icd code (up to 7 characters) with all symbols except the "dagger" (for aetiological codes that can be combined with an "asterisk" code to denote the manifestation)
The ICD "normcode", consisting of up to 6 characters and without all symbols except the period (e.g. E11.30)
The ICD "normcode", consisting of up to 5 characters and without any symbols (e.g. E1130)
ICD label for the complete code.
ICD label for the three-digit ICD code.
ICD label for fourth digit of the ICD code.
ICD label for the fifth digit of the ICD code.
Usage of the code in the ambulatory sector (Paragraph 295 SGB V) (P: primary code; O: only as a "star" code in conjunction with a "dagger" code for aetiology; Z: only an optional "!" code in conjunction with a primary code; V: not to be used for coding)
Usage of the code in the stationary (hospital) sector (Paragraph 301 SGB V) (P: primary code; O: only as a "star" code in conjunction with a "dagger" code for aetiology; Z: only an optional "!" code in conjunction with a primary code; V: not to be used for coding)
Key to join with the WHO mortality list 1
Key to join with the WHO mortality list 2
Key to join with the WHO mortality list 3
Key to join with the WHO mortality list 4
Key to join with the WHO morbidity list
Whether the diagnosis is gender specific (M: male; W: female; 9: Not gender specific)
Type of error implied by the field gender_specific
(9: irrelevant; K: possible error)
Minimum age for which the diagnosis is plausible (T001: from one day; Y005: from five years)
Maximum age for which the diagnosis is plausible (T010: up to 10 days; Y005: up to five years)
Type of error resulting from implausible age (9: irrelevant; M: always an error ("Muss-Fehler"); K: possible error ("Kann-Fehler"))
Indicates whether the diagnosis is rare in Central Europe (J: yes; N: no)
Indicates whether the code has content associated with it (J: yes; N: no, leads to an error)
Indicates whether the diagnosis is notifiable in Germany (J: yes; N: no)
Indicates whether the diagnosis is notifiable for laboratories in Germany (J: yes; N: no)
The source data was downloaded from the official download centre of the German Institute for Medical Documentation and Information (DIMDI). See also https://www.dimdi.de/dynamic/en/classifications/icd/icd-10-gm/tabular-list/#metadata
This metadata is not suitable for operative coding and does not include all relevant information concerning the codes. For example, the file contains neither the inclusion and exclusion notes nor the detailed definitions (where present, mainly in Chapter V). DIMDI provide additional reference material for operative coding and detailed research.