Dataset Information

Data resource profile: the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).

ABSTRACT: Electronic health records (EHRs) can provide researchers with extraordinary opportunities for population-based research. The National Health Insurance system of Taiwan was established in 1995 and covers more than 99.6% of the Taiwanese population; this system's claims data are released as the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). All data from primary outpatient departments and inpatient hospital care settings after 2000 are included in this database. After a change and update in 2016, the NHIRD is maintained and regulated by the Data Science Centre of the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Taiwan. Datasets for approved research are released in three forms: sampling datasets comprising 2 million subjects, disease-specific databases, and full population datasets. These datasets are de-identified and contain basic demographic information, disease diagnoses, prescriptions, operations, and investigations. Data can be linked to government surveys or other research datasets. While only a small number of validation studies with small sample sizes have been undertaken, they have generally reported positive predictive values of over 70% for various diagnoses. Currently, patients cannot opt out of inclusion in the database, although this requirement is under review. In conclusion, the NHIRD is a large, powerful data source for biomedical research.

SUBMITTER: Lin LY

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6367203 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Data resource profile: the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).

Lin Liang-Yu LY Warren-Gash Charlotte C Smeeth Liam L Chen Pau-Chung PC

Epidemiology and health 20181227

Electronic health records (EHRs) can provide researchers with extraordinary opportunities for population-based research. The National Health Insurance system of Taiwan was established in 1995 and covers more than 99.6% of the Taiwanese population; this system's claims data are released as the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). All data from primary outpatient departments and inpatient hospital care settings after 2000 are included in this database. After a change and update in ...[more]

PMID: 30727703

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Project description:ObjectiveStatins have been commonly used to treat patients with hypercholesterolaemia and to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) worldwide. This study examined trends in use of statins in Taiwan from 2002 to 2011.DesignThis is a retrospective observational study focusing on the utilisation of statins.SettingThe monthly claims data for statins between 2002 and 2011 were retrieved from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database.Main outcome measuresWe calculated the yearly prescription rate per new user for each statin. Products were classified as high-intensity/moderate-intensity/low-intensity statins by type of statin and dosage. Users were also classified based on disease histories.ResultsThe number of statin users increased from 10 299 (~1.4% of adults) in 2002 to 50 687 (~6.3% of adults) in 2011. Atorvastatin was the most commonly used agent (28.4%-36.7%) during the study period. After 2007, simvastatin ranked second with 21.7% market share, followed by rosuvastatin, a newer agent that exhibited a substantial growth in prescription rates (3.4% in 2005 and 19.5% in 2011). In 2011, 94.0% of new statin users used statin monotherapies, and 6.0% used combination therapies. Use of moderate-intensity statins increased from 49.0% in 2002 to 71.0% in 2011, while high-intensity statins remained low. Patients with history of coronary events or cerebrovascular events were more likely to be prescribed higher intensity statins compared with those without. Prescribing of higher intensity statins was not greater among people with diabetes compared with those without during 2007-2011. Selection of statins did not differ between people with versus without history of myopathy or liver injury.ConclusionAtorvastatin was the most commonly used statin in Taiwan during 2002-2011. While patients with history of CVD were more likely to be prescribed higher intensity statins compared with those without, this difference was not found comparing those with and without diabetes.

Dataset Information

Data resource profile: the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).

Publications

Data resource profile: the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).

Similar Datasets

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