Quebec Integrated Chronic Disease Surveillance System (QICDSS), an innovative approach

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Chronic diseases pose a significant public health challenge, necessitating robust surveillance systems for effective prevention and control.
• The Institut national de santé publique du Québec developed the Quebec Integrated Chronic Disease Surveillance System (QICDSS) to address this need.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the features, strengths, and limitations of the Quebec Integrated Chronic Disease Surveillance System (QICDSS).
• To highlight the system's capacity for integrated chronic disease surveillance and analysis of multimorbidity and polypharmacy.

Main Methods:

• The QICDSS links five health administrative databases, covering January 1, 1996, to March 31, 2012.
• An operational model involves data extraction, linkage, analysis (including case definition validation), and dissemination of surveillance measures.
• The system enables surveillance of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, osteoporosis, osteoarticular diseases, mental disorders, and Alzheimer's disease.

Main Results:

• In 2011-2012, the QICDSS included data on 7,995,963 Quebec residents.
• 95.3% of individuals met at least one selection criterion for chronic disease surveillance, with higher proportions in older age groups.

Conclusions:

• The QICDSS generates population-based data on chronic disease burden, healthcare utilization, and prescription drug use.
• It facilitates the integrated study of multiple chronic diseases, a novel approach in population surveillance.
• The system possesses essential surveillance features and supports evidence-based decision-making for public health interventions.