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A primer and comparative review of major US mortality databases
Diane C Cowper1, Joseph D Kubal, Charles Maynard
1Veterans Affairs Information Resource Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Health Service Research and Development Service Resource Center at the Edward Hines, Jr, Veterans Affairs Hospital, Hines, IL 60141-5000, USA.
Annals of Epidemiology
|October 16, 2002
Summary
The National Death Index (NDI) offers the highest sensitivity for mortality ascertainment among major US databases. Researchers should carefully evaluate data sources for vital status research.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Biostatistics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Mortality data is crucial for research requiring vital status information.
- Several national databases and services exist for mortality ascertainment in the United States.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and compare major mortality databases and ascertainment services in the U.S.
- To assess the content, reliability, and accuracy of these mortality sources.
- To guide researchers on accessing these vital status resources.
Main Methods:
- Comparative review of key mortality databases: National Death Index (NDI), Social Security Administration (SSA) files, and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) databases.
- Analysis of data sensitivity, reliability, and accuracy.
- Description of access procedures for researchers.
Main Results:
- The National Death Index (NDI) demonstrated the highest sensitivity, ranging from 87.0% to 97.9%.
- Other sources showed lower sensitivity: VA Beneficiary Identification and Records Locator System (BIRLS) (80.0%-94.5%), SSA files (83.0%-83.6%), and VA Patient Treatment File (PTF) (33%).
- The NDI is the only national source with a cause of death field suitable for research.
Conclusions:
- The NDI is the most sensitive national mortality ascertainment service.
- Researchers must critically evaluate the vital status ascertainment methods and data quality of mortality databases.
- The NDI's superior sensitivity and cause of death data make it the preferred resource for vital status research.