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Regional variation in varicose vein operations in England 1989-1996
R B Galland1, P J Whatling, T J Crook
1Department of Surgery, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, UK.
Aim:
To determine accuracy of Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (OPCS) codes for varicose vein (VV) operations and differences in regional activity over 7 years.
Methods:
OPCS codes were obtained for VV operations (L85, L87) for the 8 English regions 1989/90-1995/96. Data were also obtained for the 4 districts of the old Oxford Region. Centrally collected codes for one hospital were compared with audit data from the same hospital.
Results:
There was a marked inter-regional variation in VV activity, e.g. in 1995/96 the range of operations/100,000 population was 102 (Anglia & Oxford) to 138 (West Midlands). There was a gradual increase in the number of operations carried out nationally from 98/100,000 in 1989/90 to 121/100,000 in 1995/96. The numbers peaked in 1991/92, coinciding with a 'waiting list initiative'. When compared with audit data, accuracy of coding improved throughout the study period. There was a 55% inaccuracy in 1989/90 compared with 2% in 1995/96. In each year, codes overestimated the volume of work actually carried out.
Conclusion:
OPCS codes broadly reflect VV activity. Difference in VV activity in different parts of the country are apparent.