Measuring prevalence and incidence of chronic conditions in claims and electronic health record databases.
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ABSTRACT: Background
Health care databases are natural sources for estimating prevalence and incidence of chronic conditions, but substantial variation in estimates limits their interpretability and utility. We evaluated the effects of design choices when estimating prevalence and incidence in claims and electronic health record databases.Methods
Prevalence and incidence for five chronic diseases at increasing levels of expected frequencies, from cystic fibrosis to COPD, were estimated in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) and MarketScan databases from 2011 to 2014. Estimates were compared using different definitions of lookback time and contributed person-time.Results
Variation in lookback time substantially affected estimates. In 2014, for CPRD, use of an all-time vs a 1-year lookback window resulted in 4.3-8.3 times higher prevalence (depending on disease), reducing incidence by 1.9-3.3 times. All-time lookback resulted in strong temporal trends. COPD prevalence between 2011 and 2014 in MarketScan increased by 25% with an all-time lookback but stayed relatively constant with a 1-year lookback. Varying observability did not substantially affect estimates.Conclusion
This framework draws attention to the underrecognized potential for widely varying incidence and prevalence estimates, with implications for care planning and drug development. Though prevalence and incidence are seemingly straightforward concepts, careful consideration of methodology is required to obtain meaningful estimates from health care databases.
SUBMITTER: Rassen JA
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6301730 | biostudies-literature | 2019
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:In Germany, epidemiological information on Parkinson's disease (PD) is rare and outdated. Considering aging populations, current prevalences and incidence rates about this age-related disease would be important for adequate public health planning.We used newly available health claims data sets from the largest German health insurer dating 2004-2007 and 2007-2010 with an analysis population in the base years of 491 038 persons aged 50 and older. Quarter-specific information about ICD-10 diagnoses and PD drug prescriptions from the inpatient and outpatient sectors was used to validate PD cases. Estimations were presented for two validation strategies relying on repeated PD diagnoses (SIa) and on one PD diagnosis followed by at least one PD drug prescription (SIb).The standardized prevalence was 797 (SIb) to 961/100 000 persons (SIa), showing an age-specific increase up to category 85-89 and a decline thereafter. The standardized incidence rate was 192 to 229/100 000 person-years with a similar age-specific shape. Prevalences and incidences rates were higher for men compared to women in regard to age.Health claims data are found to be suitable for PD assessment using the repeated diagnoses or PD drug prescriptions as necessary criteria.
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Project description:BackgroundImmunization reminders in electronic health records (EHR) provide clinical decision support (CDS) that can reduce missed immunization opportunities. Little is known about using CDS rules from a regional immunization information system (IIS) to power local EHR immunization reminders.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the impact of EHR reminders using regional IIS CDS-provided rules on receipt of immunizations in a low-income, urban population for both routine immunizations and those recommended for patients with chronic medical conditions (CMCs).MethodsWe built an EHR-based immunization reminder using the open-source resource used by the New York City IIS in which we overlaid logic regarding immunizations needed for CMCs. Using a randomized cluster-cross-over pragmatic clinical trial in four academic-affiliated clinics, we compared captured immunization opportunities during patient visits when the reminder was "on" versus "off" for the primary immunization series, school-age boosters, and adolescents. We also assessed coverage of CMC-specific immunizations. Up-to-date immunization was measured by end of quarter. Rates were compared using chi square tests.ResultsOverall, 15,343 unique patients were seen for 26,647 visits. The alert significantly impacted captured opportunities to complete the primary series in both well-child and acute care visits (57.6% on vs. 54.3% off, p = 0.001, and 15.3% on vs. 10.1% off, p = 0.02, respectively), among most age groups, and several immunization types. Captured opportunities for CMC-specific immunizations remained low regardless of alert status. The alert did not have an effect on up-to-date immunization overall (89.1 vs. 88.3%).ConclusionCDS in this population improved captured immunization opportunities. Baseline high rates may have blunted an up-to-date population effect. Converting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rules to generate sufficiently sensitive and specific alerts for CMC-specific immunizations proved challenging, and the alert did not have an impact on CMC-specific immunizations, potentially highlighting need for more work in this area.
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Project description:Background and study aims
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has funded the development of a patient controlled “Personal Electronic Health Record” (PEPA) as part of their current INFOPAT project. PEPA allows for the exchange of medical data between all interested groups, including the patients thenselves. A PEPA contains medical reports and findings including, for example, x-rays, CT scans and MRIs. The patients can safeguard their information and access all content. The aim of this study is to test the PEPA-prototype for cancer patients being treated at the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) in Heidelberg.
Who can participate?
Adult colorectal cancer patients being treated at the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) in Heidelberg.
What does the study involve?
There are two part to this study. The first part involves focus groups, in which a group of people are asked their opinion and attitudes towards, for example, an idea, product or service. Here, focus groups are set up that involve the patients, doctors and other health professionals to discuss current problems with the coordination of care offered to cancer patients, as well as discuss what people want to get from using PEPA (i.e. user requirements). The PEPA-prototype is then developed taking into account the conclusions from the focus groups. In the second part of the study, patients are encouraged to use the PEPA-prototype to prepare and follow up meetings with their physicians.
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