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ABSTRACT: A challenge in the use of insurance claims databases for epidemiologic research is accurate identification and verification of medical conditions. This report describes the development and validation of claims-based algorithms to identify colonic ischemia, hospitalized complications of constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
From the research claims databases of a large healthcare company, we selected at random 120 potential cases of IBS and 59 potential cases each of colonic ischemia and hospitalized complications of constipation. We sought the written medical records and were able to abstract 107, 57, and 51 records, respectively. We established a 'true' case status for each subject by applying standard clinical criteria to the available chart data. Comparing the insurance claims histories to the assigned case status, we iteratively developed, tested, and refined claims-based algorithms that would capture the diagnoses obtained from the medical records. We set goals of high specificity for colonic ischemia and hospitalized complications of constipation, and high sensitivity for IBS.
The resulting algorithms substantially improved on the accuracy achievable from a naïve acceptance of the diagnostic codes attached to insurance claims. The specificities for colonic ischemia and serious complications of constipation were 87.2 and 92.7%, respectively, and the sensitivity for IBS was 98.9%.
U.S. commercial insurance claims data appear to be usable for the study of colonic ischemia, IBS, and serious complications of constipation.
Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety 02/2006; 15(1):47-56. · 2.53 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To identify predictors of colon ischemia, we examined demographic and clinical characteristics of patients, as well as their prior health care utilization.
Using insurance data, we identified 700 persons at least 20-yr old with presumed colon ischemia between 1995 and 1999, and 6,440 controls. Case identification was based on diagnosis and procedure codes in insurance claims for which we used a previously reported, validated algorithm. We ascertained preceding medical diagnoses and the use of drugs and health services from the insurance claims files.
Patients with colon ischemia were nearly three times as likely to have IBS than controls. A history of nonspecific colitis, lower gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage, systemic rheumatologic disorders, and ischemic heart disease in the preceding 6 months, and abdominal surgery in the past month were also much more common in colon ischemia cases than controls. Use of a drug to treat diarrhea was strongly associated with risk. The most prevalent risk factor for colon ischemia was the use of drugs with a side effect of constipation, found in one-third of cases and one in nine controls. Cases had seen physicians, particularly gastroenterologists, much more commonly in the preceding 6 months than had controls.
Clinically evident colon ischemia arises preferentially in persons with prior abdominal complaints, many of whom carry a diagnosis of IBS. Drugs that reduce bowel motility may constitute a widespread and potentially avoidable risk factor. The frequency of preceding doctor visits, without a specific diagnosis, suggests that colon ischemia may have a prolonged subacute presentation.
The American Journal of Gastroenterology 08/2004; 99(7):1333-7. · 7.28 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome are rare disorders characterized by platelet aggregation, microthrombi, and resulting tissue damage. We studied the incidence and possible risk factors for these diseases in 3 large populations in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.
Data were derived from a large health insurer in the United States, general practices in the United Kingdom, and the Province of Saskatchewan. We identified potential cases of thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome in computerized data and verified them by medical record review. We estimated incidence rates for thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome together and separately, and we conducted a case-control study to evaluate potential risk factors.
The age-sex standardized incidence of thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome was higher than previously reported (6.5, 2.2, and 3.2 per million per year in the United States, United Kingdom, and Saskatchewan, respectively), but there was no secular trend. The incidence of thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome was higher in women than men. Most cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome occurred before 20 years of age. We confirmed several known risk factors for thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome (cancer, bone marrow transplantation, pregnancy).
The incidence of thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome is higher than previously reported but does not appear to be rising. Apparent international differences in incidence could be the result of imprecision in identifying thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome in large research databases.
Epidemiology 04/2004; 15(2):208-15. · 5.57 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate the risk of serious ventricular arrhythmia (SVA) with cisapride use in the United States.
The study population included 28,078 patients under the age of 65 years who received cisapride between 1993 and 1998 with no history of antiarrhythmia treatment. Each follow-up day was classified according to use of cisapride and other factors. Outcomes of SVAs were identified using medical claims records and National Death Index search, and confirmed by medical record review. Rates of events were calculated for time on and off cisapride. Poisson regression analysis was used to calculate adjusted rate ratios.
There were 23 cases of SVAs; 10 during periods of cisapride use and 13 during periods of non-use. The adjusted rate ratio comparing SVA events in cisapride use time to non-use time was 1.60 (95% CI: 0.67-3.82), and that identified for the other QT-prolonging drugs was 1.60 (95% CI: 0.65-3.98).
The evidence for an increased risk of SVAs associated with cisapride was equivocal after taking observation time on and off cisapride into account, and adjusting for risk factors, though we cannot exclude the possibility of a 3.8-fold increased risk. Overall, the plausible risks of cisapride were similar to those of other QT-prolonging drugs.
Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety 10/2002; 11(6):477-86. · 2.53 Impact Factor
