Overview
In oncology research, amalgamating mortality data from diverse sources like electronic health records (EHR), commercial databases, and the US Social Security Death Index (SSDI) has proven effective in establishing a reliable measure of mortality. However, this approach typically relies on access to EHR data, and the National Death Index (NDI), while considered a gold standard, has limitations due to its approximately two-year time lag.
In this study, researchers explore the reliability of using Flatiron Health's proprietary commercial mortality database, derived from public obituary data since 2010, and SSDI data as an alternative for research where EHR data isn't accessible. Specifically, they aimed to assess the feasibility of utilizing this combined data set for non-oncology research purposes.
Why this matters
This study holds significant implications for mortality research beyond oncology settings. By demonstrating the accuracy of a combined approach using Flatiron's obituary database and SSDI data, even without access to EHR data, the study offers a valuable alternative for mortality assessment in non-oncology research. With viable sensitivity and specificity compared to the gold standard NDI, this approach shows promise for various applications, including as an outcomes linkage in medical claims analyses and clinical trials.
View the abstract on the ISPOR website
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