Data linkage of two national databases: Lessons learned from linking the Dutch Arthroplasty Register with the Dutch Foundation for Pharmaceutical Statistics.

ABSTRACT:

Background

To provide guidance on data linkage in case of non-unique identifiers, we present a case study linking the Dutch Foundation for Pharmaceutical Statistics and Dutch Arthroplasty Register to investigate opioid prescriptions before/after arthroplasty.

Methods

Deterministic data linkage was used. Records were linked on: sex, birthyear, postcode, surgery date, or thromboprophylaxis initiation as a proxy for the surgery date. Different postcodes were used, depending on availability: patient postcode (available from 2013 onwards), hospital postcode with codes for physicians/hospitals, and hospital postcode with catchment area. Linkage was assessed in several groups: linked arthroplasties, linked on patient postcode, linked on patient postcode, and low-molecular-weight he

SUBMITTER: van Brug HE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9994672 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature