Skip to main content
Log in

Drug data coding and analysis in epidemiologic studies

  • Published:
European Journal of Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In epidemiologic studies that collect comprehensive information on medication use, the complexity of dealing with a large number of trade and generic names may limit the utilization of these data bases. This paper shows the specific advantage of using two coding systems, one to maximize efficiency of data entry, and the other to facilitate analysis by organizing the drug ingredients into hierarchical categories. The approach used by two large surveys, one in the USA and one in Italy, is described: the Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) and the ‘Gruppo Italiano di Farmacovigilanza nell' Anziano’ (GIFA). To enter the medications into a computerized database, codes matching the drug product names are needed. In the EPESE the prescription and over the counter drug products are coded with the Drug Products Information Coding System (DPICS) and the Iowa Nonprescription Drug Products Information Coding System (INDPICS), respectively. The GIFA study uses the coding system of the Italian Ministry of Health (MINSAN), with a unique numeric code for each drug product available in Italy. To simplify the analytical process the drug entry codes are converted into hierarchical coding systems with unique codes for specific drug ingredients, chemical and therapeutic categories. The EPESE and GIFA drug data are coded with the Iowa Drug Information System (IDIS) ingredient codes, and the Anatomical Therapeutic and chemical (ATC) codes, respectively. Examples are provided that show coding of diuretics in these two studies and demonstrate the analytic advantages of these systems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Beers MH, Avorn J, Soumerai S, Hawley SL, Drobnyk G. Computer-assisted drug data collection. J Med Syst 1992; 16: 1–6.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Psaty BM, Lee M, Savage PJ, Rutan GH, German PS, Lyles M. Assessing the use of medications in the elderly: methods and initial experience in the Cardiovascular Health Study. The Cardiovascular Health Study Collaborative Research Group. J Clin Epidemiol 1992; 45: 683–692.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Cornoni-Huntley J, Ostfeld AM, Taylor JO, Wallace RB, Blazer D, Berkman LF, Evans DA, Kohout FJ, Lemke JH, Scherr PA, Korper SP.

  4. Carbonin PU, Pahor M, Bernabei R, Sgadari A. Is age an independent risk factor of adverse drug reactions in hospitalized medical patients? J Am Geriatr Soc 1991; 39: 1093–1099.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Pahor M, Guralnik JM, Gambassi G Jr, Bernabei R, Carosella L. The impact of age on the risk of adverse drug reactions to digoxin. J Clin Epidemiol 1993; in press.

  6. European Drug Index, 2nd ed. New York: Elsevier, 1992.

  7. Rosenberg JM, Martino FP, Kirschenbaum HL, Robbins J. Pharmacist-operated drug information centers in the United States - 1986. Am J Hosp Pharm 1987; 44: 337–344.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Chrischilles EA, Foley DJ, Wallace RB, Lemke JH, Semla TP, Hanlon JT, Glynn RJ, Ostfeld AM, Guralnik JM. Use of medications by persons 65 and over: Data from the established populations for epidemiologic studies of the elderly. J Gerontol 1992; 47: M137-M144.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Helling DK, Lemke JH, Semla TP, Wallace RB, Lipson DP, Cornoni-Huntley J. Medication use characteristics in the elderly: the Iowa 65 + Rural Health Study. J Am Geriatr Soc 1987; 35: 4–12.

    Google Scholar 

  10. DeVito CA, Aldridge GW, Wilson A, Vidis JS, Goldberg T, Dickson WM, Moore WE. Framework and development of a comprehensive drug product coding system. Contemp Pharm Prac 1993; 2: 62–65.

    Google Scholar 

  11. AHFS Drug Information 93. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Hospital Pharmacists, 1993.

  12. L'informatore farmaceutico, 53th ed. Milano: Organizzazione Editoriale Medico Farmaceutica, 1993.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pahor, M., Chrischilles, E.A., Guralnik, J.M. et al. Drug data coding and analysis in epidemiologic studies. Eur J Epidemiol 10, 405–411 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01719664

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01719664

Key words

Navigation