Validation of a coding algorithm to identify bladder cancer and distinguish stage in an electronic medical records database.

ABSTRACT: Studies on outcomes in bladder cancer rely on accurate methods to identify patients with bladder cancer and differentiate bladder cancer stage. Medical record and administrative databases are increasingly used to study cancer incidence, but few have distinguished cancer stage, and none have focused on bladder cancer. In this study, we used data from The UK Health Improvement Network (THIN) to identify patients with bladder cancer using at least one diagnostic code for bladder cancer, and distinguish muscle-invasive from non-invasive disease using a subsequent code for cystectomy. Algorithms were validated against a gold standard of physician-completed questionnaires, pathology reports, and consultant letters. Algorithm performance was evaluated by measuring positive predictive value (PPV)

SUBMITTER: Mamtani R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4294969 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature