Proposal for a Scientifically Correct and Medically Actionable Disease Classification System (ICD) for Obesity

Area of Science:

• Medical classification systems
• Chronic disease management
• Obesity pathophysiology

Background:

• Obesity imposes significant suffering and social costs, with limited access to evidence-based treatments.
• Current diagnostic terms and ICD codes inadequately represent obesity as a chronic disease.
• Suboptimal classification hinders effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a medically actionable classification system for adiposity-based chronic disease (ABCD).
• To create a system reflecting disease pathophysiology and complications.
• To improve the diagnosis and coding of obesity as a chronic condition.

Main Methods:

• Proposed a four-domain coding system for ABCD.
• A codes: pathophysiology; B codes: BMI classification; C codes: specific complications; D codes: severity.
• Included supplemental codes for aggravating factors and personalized therapeutic planning.

Main Results:

• The proposed coding system addresses ABCD pathophysiology and therapeutic goals.
• It accounts for differential risk, presence, and severity of specific complications.
• The system integrates key aspects of ABCD as a chronic disease.

Conclusions:

• A scientifically accurate and medically actionable coding system is proposed.
• This approach aims for greater acknowledgement of ABCD as a disease.
• Improved coding is expected to enhance patient access to evidence-based therapies.