James D Lewis1, Colleen Brensinger, Warren B Bilker, Brian L Strom. 1. Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 9th Floor Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021, USA. jlewis@cceb.med.upenn.edu
Abstract
PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the validity and completeness of the General Practice Research Database (GPRD) as a tool for research into inflammatory bowel disease epidemiology. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease were identified from GPRD. Mailed surveys were sent to the general practitioner caring for a stratified random sample of 170 of these patients and collected information on the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease and the most recent surgery and hospitalization. RESULTS: Usable surveys were returned for 157 patients (92%). The inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis was highly probable or probable in 144 (92%, 95% CI 86 to 96%). Among the 53 patients with a potentially incident inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis, 33 (62%) had the first recorded diagnosis in GPRD within 30 days of the date reported in the survey (median difference -8 days; interquartile range 0 to -81 days). Of 12 surgeries and 25 hospitalizations reported in the survey, 11 (92%) and 19 (76%) were identified in GPRD, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease in GPRD appears reliable for most patients. Important medical events such as hospitalizations and surgery are recorded at a high rate, although algorithms to identify these events are complex.
PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the validity and completeness of the General Practice Research Database (GPRD) as a tool for research into inflammatory bowel disease epidemiology. METHODS:Patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease were identified from GPRD. Mailed surveys were sent to the general practitioner caring for a stratified random sample of 170 of these patients and collected information on the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease and the most recent surgery and hospitalization. RESULTS: Usable surveys were returned for 157 patients (92%). The inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis was highly probable or probable in 144 (92%, 95% CI 86 to 96%). Among the 53 patients with a potentially incident inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis, 33 (62%) had the first recorded diagnosis in GPRD within 30 days of the date reported in the survey (median difference -8 days; interquartile range 0 to -81 days). Of 12 surgeries and 25 hospitalizations reported in the survey, 11 (92%) and 19 (76%) were identified in GPRD, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease in GPRD appears reliable for most patients. Important medical events such as hospitalizations and surgery are recorded at a high rate, although algorithms to identify these events are complex.
Authors: Jamie J Coleman; Sarah E McDowell; Stephen J W Evans; Paramjit S Gill; Robin E Ferner Journal: Br J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2010-07 Impact factor: 4.335
Authors: Vincent Lo Re; Kevin Haynes; Kimberly A Forde; A Russell Localio; Rita Schinnar; James D Lewis Journal: Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf Date: 2009-09 Impact factor: 2.890