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Methods

Session: Poster Session C

(181) Validation of obstetric diagnosis and procedure codes in the Danish National Patient Registry

Wednesday, August 28, 2024
8:00 AM – 1:30 PM CEST
Location: Convention Hall II

    Co-Author(s)

  • KH

    Kamille Herskind

    Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy, and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark, Denmark

  • PB

    Peter Bjødstrup Jensen

    Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy, and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark, Denmark

  • CV

    Christina Anne Vinter

    Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark, Denmark

  • LK

    Lone Krebs

    5Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Amager and Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark, Denmark

  • LE

    Lene Friis Eskildsen

    5Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Amager and Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark, Denmark

  • Anne Broe, MD PhD (she/her/hers)

    Senior Epidemiologist
    IQVIA, London, UK
    Paddington, United Kingdom

  • Anton Pottegård, PhD, DMSc

    Professor
    University of Southern Denmark
    Odense M, Denmark

    • Presenting Author(s)

  • Mette Bliddal, PhD (she/her/hers)

    Associate professor
    Research Unit OPEN, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
    Odense C, Denmark

Background: Data from the Danish Medical Birth Register are extensively used for epidemiological research. The validity of the data has not be systematically examined since 2003.

Objectives: We aimed to systematically evaluate the validity of variables related to pregnancy, delivery, and key characteristics of the infant in the Danish National Patient Register, which feed into the Danish Medical Birth Register, using maternal medical records as reference standard.

Methods: We reviewed medical records of 1264 women giving birth in the Region of Southern Denmark during 2017. We calculated positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values, sensitivity, and specificity to estimate the validity of 49 selected variables

Results: The PPV was ≥0.90 on most pregnancy-related variables including parity, pre-gestational BMI, diabetes disorders, and previous cesarean section, while it was lower for hypertensive disorders, especially mild to moderate preeclampsia (0.49, 95% CI 0.32-0.66). Sensitivity ranged from 0.80 to 1.00 on all pregnancy-related variables, except hypertensive disorders (sensitivity 0.38-0.71, lowest for severe preeclampsia). On most delivery-related variables including obstetric surgical procedures (eg cesarean section and induction of labor), pharmacological pain-relief, and gestational age at delivery, PPVs ranged from 0.98 to 1.00 and the corresponding sensitivities from 0.87 to 1.00. Regarding infant-related variables, both APGAR score registered five minutes after delivery and birthweight yielded a PPV of 1.00.

Conclusions: Obstetric coding in the Danish National Patient Register shows very high validity and completeness making it a valuable source for epidemiologic research.