The use of the linkage technique in health information systems: application in the database of the São Paulo Population-based Cancer Registry / Uso da técnica de linkage nos sistemas de informação em saúde: aplicação na base de dados do Registro de Câncer de base populacional do município de São Paulo

Stela Verzinhasse Peres

The availability of large computerized databases on health has enabled the record linkage technique, an alternative for different study designs. This technique provides the generation of a more complete database, at low operational cost. Objective to investigate the possibility of completing/improving information from the database of the RCBP-SP, in the period between 1997 and 2005, using the record linkage technique with other three databases, namely: Mortality Improvement Program (PRO-AIM), Authorization of Highly Complex Procedures (APAC-SIA/SUS) and State System of Data Analysis (FSeade), comparing different strategies. Methods In this study we used the database of the RCBP-SP composed of 343,306 incident cancer cases in the Municipality of São Paulo registered in the period between 1997 and 2005 with ages raging from under one to 106 years, from both sexes. To complete the database of the RCBP-SP three databases were used, namely: PRO-AIM, APAC-SIA/SUS and FSeade. Both probabilistic and deterministic record linkage were used. Probabilistic linkage was performed using the Reclink III software, version 3.1.6. As for the the deterministic record linkage, the routines were run in the Visual Basic and databases hosted on a SQL Server. Before and after record linkage, crude incidence (CIR) and mortality rates (CMR) were calculated. The overall survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier technique and for the comparison between curves, the log rank test was employed. In order to determine the most precise cut-off scores in identifying true matches, we calculated the area under the curve, as well as, sensitivity and specificity. Results After record linkage, it was verified a gain of 101.5 per cent for the variable address, 31.5 per cent for death date and 80,0 per cent for the date of latest information. As for the variable mother´s name, in the database of the RCBP-SP before record linkage, this information represented only 0.5 per cent , having been completed, in general, in 76,332 registries. The overall survival analysis showed that before the record linkage there was an underestimation of the probability of being alive for all periods assessed. In general, for the truncated survival at seven years, the probability of being alive at the first year of follow up before record linkage was lower when compared to the probability of being alive at the first year of follow up after record linkage (48.8 per cent x 61.1 per cent ; p<0.001). Conclusion Both the probabilistic and deterministic record linkage were effective to complete/improve information from the database of the RCBP-SP. Moreover, the CIR had a gain of de 3.4 per cent . As for the CMR, there was a gain of 25.8 per cent . After using the record linkage technique, it was verified that values for overall survival were underestimated for both sexes, all age groups, and cancer sites

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