Publication
Title
Creating the BELgian COngenital heart disease database combining administrative and clinical data (BELCODAC) : rationale, design and methodology
Author
Institution/Organisation
BELCODAC Consortium
Abstract
Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) entails a broad spectrum of malformations with various degrees of severity and prognosis. Consequently, new and specific healthcare needs are emerging, requiring responsive healthcare provision. Research on this matter is predominantly performed on population-based databases, to in form clinicians, researchers and policy-makers on health outcomes and economic burden of CHD. Most databases contain data either from administrative sources or from clinical systems. We describe the methodological design of the BELgian COngenital Heart Disease Database combining Administrative and Clinical data (BELCODAC), to investigate patients with CHD. Methods: Data on clinical characteristics from three university hospitals in Belgium(Leuven, Ghent and Brussels) were merged with mortality and socio-economic data from the official Belgian statistical office (StatBel), and with healthcare use data from the InterMutualistic Agency, an overarching national organization that collects data from the seven sickness funds for all Belgian citizens. Over 60 variables with multiple entries over time are included in the database. Results: BELCODAC contains data on 18,510 patients, of which 8926 patients (48%) have a mild, 7490 (41%) a moderately complex and 2094 (11%) a complex anatomical heart defect. The most prevalent diagnosis is Ventricular Septal Defect in 3879 patients (21%), followed by Atrial Septal Defect in 2565 patients (14%). Conclusions: BELCODAC comprises longitudinal data on patients with CHD in Belgium. This will help build evidence-based provision of care to the changing CHD population. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Language
English
Source (journal)
International journal of cardiology. - Amsterdam, 1981, currens
Publication
Amsterdam : 2020
ISSN
0167-5273
DOI
10.1016/J.IJCARD.2020.05.059
Volume/pages
316 (2020) , p. 72-78
ISI
000580578300016
Pubmed ID
32473285
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 01.12.2020
Last edited 12.12.2024
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