ARAMIS today: moving toward internationally distributed databank systems for follow-up studies

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Medical Informatics
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The American Rheumatism Association Medical Information System (ARAMIS) is a large consortium of North American rheumatic disease data banks established in 1974.
• ARAMIS has expanded significantly, encompassing over 16 centers, 22,000 patients, and 80 million observations.
• Historically, data management relied on a centralized mainframe system at Stanford University.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the evolution of the ARAMIS data management system.
• To highlight the migration from mainframe to distributed computing.
• To discuss the implications for data quality, cost-efficiency, and international collaboration.

Main Methods:

• The study details the transition from a centralized IBM mainframe system to a distributed system utilizing IBM PC/XT/AT computers and the Medlog software.
• Emphasis is placed on ARAMIS's commitment to data quality, epidemiological soundness, and the establishment of specialized "core" groups for quality control, biostatistics, and other critical areas.
• The migration strategy involved leveraging advances in microcomputer technology and software.

Main Results:

• Substantial cost savings have been achieved through the adoption of distributed processing.
• The new system facilitates easier data and software transfer, laying the groundwork for international data exchange.
• The migration supports ARAMIS's ongoing focus on data quality and epidemiological rigor.

Conclusions:

• The migration to distributed computing represents a significant advancement for the ARAMIS network.
• This technological shift enhances operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness in managing large-scale rheumatic disease data.
• Establishing common vocabulary and quality control procedures is crucial for future international data sharing and collaborative research in rheumatology.