Overview
Accurate and timely mortality information is crucial for conducting reliable real-world data (RWD) studies in oncology. Flatiron Health Germany has developed a composite mortality variable by integrating various data sources, including structured and unstructured electronic health record (EHR) data, alongside information from the German postal service. To validate this innovative approach, researchers conducted a study comparing this composite variable against data from a German Cancer Registry, considered a robust reference standard.
The study included 1280 patients across seven cancer types from a Flatiron Health partner site. The findings showed that the composite mortality variable demonstrated high accuracy in classifying vital status (87.7% sensitivity, 91.7% specificity) and precise death dates, with nearly all (98.8%) matching the Cancer Registry within 30 days, and 84.8% matching exactly. While some discrepancies were noted, these were attributed to factors like incomplete EHR/postal data or delayed Cancer Registry updates.
Why this matters
This research confirms the high reliability and temporal accuracy of Flatiron Health Germany’s composite mortality variable, a critical tool for robust oncology outcomes research. By validating this variable against a national cancer registry, the study provides confidence in using EHR-derived data to generate meaningful real-world evidence. This advancement is vital for understanding cancer patient journeys, evaluating treatment effectiveness, and informing clinical decisions, ultimately contributing to improved cancer care and outcomes based on high-quality real-world data in Germany.