Fracture risk in people with developmental disabilities: results of a large claims data analysis

Use and risk of side effects of antiresorptive medication in people with intellectual disabilities

Background

Recent studies show that adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) have high incidence of major osteoporotic fracture, especially hip fracture. In those ≥ 50 years, women and men with ID have an approximately two and four times higher rate of hip fracture than women and men without ID. Increased awareness of osteoporotic fracture risk in ID may lead to wider use of antiresorptive drugs (bisphosphonates and denosumab) in this population. We aimed to compare, between people with and without ID, the incidence of 1) major side effects, namely medication related osteoporosis of the jaw (ONJ) and oesophagitis; 2) oral pathology, which can be a risk factor for ONJ.

Methods

Exploratory study investigating safety of first line osteoporosis medication within the population of a previous study comparing fracture incidence in people with and without ID in the GOLD database of the Clinical Practice Research Datalink 1998-2017.

Results

The percentage of people on antiresorptive drugs was identical in the ID and non ID group (1.4%). The number of individuals who developed ONJ and oesophagitis during the study was too low to allow an accurate estimate of incidence of the events and a comparison between the two groups. The incidence of any oral pathology was 119.31 vs 64.68/10000 person year in the ID vs non ID group.

Conclusions

Medication related ONJ and oesophagitis are rare in people with and without ID. There is no reason based on our findings to use antiresorptives differently in people with ID as in the rest of the population. However, the potential for side effects of antiresorptives will inherently increase with wider use of these drugs. Given the higher incidence of oral pathology in people with ID, which could put them at higher risk of ONJ, precautions should be taken to prevent this complication by attention to oral health.

Incidence of fractures in people with intellectual disabilities over the life course: a retrospective matched cohort study

BACKGROUND

Current osteoporosis guidelines do not identify individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) as at risk of fracture, potentially missing opportunities for prevention. We aimed to assess the incidence of fractures in people with ID over the life course.

METHODS

Descriptive analysis of open cohort study using anonymised electronic health records from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink, linked to the Hospital Episode Statistics database (Jan 1, 1998-Dec 31, 2017). All individuals with ID were matched on age and sex to five individuals without ID.  We calculated the incidence rate (95% CI) per 10000 person-years (py) and incidence rate ratio (IRR, 95% CI) to compare fractures between individuals with and without ID (age 1-17 and ≥18 years) for any fracture, and in those aged 18-49 and ≥ 50 years for major osteoporotic fracture (vertebra, shoulder, wrist, hip), and for hip fracture.

FINDINGS

43176 individuals with ID (15470 children aged 1-17 years; 27706 adults aged ≥ 18 years) were identified and included (40.4% females) along with 215733 matched control individuals.  The median age at study entry was 24 (10th-90th centiles 3-54) years. Over a median (10th-90th centile) follow-up of 7.1 (0.9-17.6) and 6.5 (0.8-17.6) years, there were 5941 and 24363 incident fractures in the ID and non ID groups respectively. Incidence of any fracture was 143.5 (131.8-156.3) vs 120.7 (115.4-126.4)/10000 py (children), 174.2 (166.4-182.4)/10000 py vs 118.2 (115.3-121.2)/10000 py (adults) in females. In males it was 192.5 (182.4-203.2) vs 228.5 (223.0-234.1)/10000 py (children), 155.6 (149.3-162.1)/10000 py vs 128.4 (125.9-131.0)/10000 py (adults). IRR for major osteoporotic fracture was 1.81 (1.50-2.18) age 18-49 years, 1.69 (1.53-1.87) age ≥ 50 years in women. In men it was 1.56 (1.36-1.79) age 18-49 years, 2.45 (2.13-2.81) age ≥ 50 years. IRR for hip fracture was 7.79 (4.14-14.65) age 18-49 years, 2.28 (1.91-2.71) age ≥ 50 years in women. In men it was 6.04 (4.18-8.73) age 18-49 years, 3.91 (3.17-4.82) age ≥ 50 years. Comparable rates of major osteoporotic fracture and of hip fracture occurred approximately 15 and 20 years earlier respectively in women and 20 and 30 years earlier respectively in men with ID than without ID. Fracture distribution differed profoundly, hip fracture 9.9% vs 5.0% of any fracture in adults with ID vs without ID.

INTERPRETATION

The incidence, type, and distribution of fractures in people with intellectual disabilities suggest early onset osteoporosis. Prevention and management strategies are urgently required, particularly to reduce the incidence of hip fracture.

FUNDING

National Institute for Health and Care Research.

The effect of age when initiating anti-seizure medication therapy on fragility fracture risk for children with epilepsy

BACKGROUND

Anti-seizure medication (ASM) is necessary to manage epilepsy and often prescribed to children and adolescents, but can lead to iatrogenic effects, including bone fragility by altering bone metabolism. Disrupting bone metabolism during crucial developmental stages could have a lasting adverse effect on bone health. Therefore, the objective of this propensity score-matched, observational cohort study was to determine if age when initiating ASM therapy across developmental stages (from pre- to post-puberty) for individuals with epilepsy was associated with an increased risk of fragility fracture.

METHODS

Data from 01/01/2011 to 12/31/2018 were extracted from Optum Clinformatics® Data Mart. Children aged 4-21 years at baseline with at least 5 years of continuous health plan enrollment were included to allow for a 1-year baseline and 4-years of follow-up. The primary group of interest included new ASM users (i.e., treatment naïve) with epilepsy. The comparison group, no ASM users without epilepsy, was matched 1:14 to new ASM users with epilepsy for demographics and baseline fracture. To provide a proxy for developmental stages, age was categorized as 4-6 (pre-puberty), 7-10 (early puberty), 11-13 (mid-puberty), 14-17 (late puberty), and 18-21 (post-puberty). Crude incidence rate (IR; per 1000 person years) and IR ratio (IRR and 95% confidence intervals [CI]) were estimated for non-trauma fracture (NTFx) for up to 4-years of follow-up.

RESULTS

Prior to stratifying by age group, the crude NTFx IR (95% CI) of 20.6 (16.5-24.8) for new ASM users with epilepsy (n = 1205) was 34% higher (IRR = 1.34; 95% CI = 1.09-1.66) than the crude NTFx IR (95% CI) of 15.4 (14.4-16.3) for no ASM users without epilepsy. The groups exhibited a different pattern of NTFx incidence with age, with new ASM users showing a more dramatic increase and peaking at 11-13 years, then decreasing with the older age groups. The crude IR and IRR were elevated for new ASM users with epilepsy compared to no ASM users without epilepsy for each age group (10% to 55% higher), but was only statistically significant for 11-13 years (IRR = 1.55; 95% CI = 1.02-2.36).

CONCLUSIONS

Children with epilepsy initiating ASM therapy may be vulnerable to fragility fracture, especially when initiating ASM around the time of puberty. Clinicians should be aware of this age-related association and consider age-appropriate adjunct bone fragility therapies.

Effect of levetiracetam and oxcarbazepine on 4-year fragility fracture risk among prepubertal and pubertal children with epilepsy

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine whether two commonly prescribed antiseizure medications (ASMs), levetiracetam (LEV) and oxcarbazepine (OXC), were associated with an increased risk of fragility fracture in children with epilepsy when initiating therapy during a crucial period of bone development, namely, pre- and midpuberty.

METHODS

Claims data from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2018 were extracted from the Optum Clinformatics Data Mart. Children aged 4-13 years at baseline with at least 5 years of continuous health plan enrollment were included to allow for a 1-year baseline (e.g., pre-ASM exposure) and 4 years of follow-up. Children with epilepsy who were ASM naïve were grouped based on whether ASM treatment initiation included LEV or OXC. The comparison group included children without epilepsy and without ASM exposure. Crude incidence rate (IR; n per 1000 person-years) and IR ratio (IRR; with 95% confidence interval [CI]) were estimated for nontrauma fracture (NTFx), a claims-based proxy for fragility fracture, for up to 4 years of follow-up. Cox proportional hazards regression estimated the hazard ratio (HR; with 95% CI) after adjusting for demographic variables, motor impairment, and baseline fracture.

RESULTS

The crude IR (95% CI) of NTFx was 21.5 (21.2-21.8) for non-ASM-users without epilepsy (n = 271 346), 19.8 (12.3-27.2) for LEV (n = 358), and 34.4 (21.1-47.7) for OXC (n = 203). Compared to non-ASM-users, the crude IRR of NTFx was similar for LEV (IRR = .92, 95% CI = .63-1.34) and elevated for OXC (IRR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.09-2.35); the crude IRR of NTFx was elevated for OXC compared to LEV (IRR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.02-2.99). The findings were consistent after adjusting for covariates, except when comparing OXC to LEV (HR = 1.71, 95% CI = .99-2.93), which was marginally statistically insignificant (p = .053).

SIGNIFICANCE

Initiating OXC, but not LEV, therapy among 4-13-year-olds with epilepsy is associated with an elevated risk of fragility fracture. Studies are needed to determine whether these children could benefit from adjunct bone fragility therapies.

Nontrauma fracture increases risk for respiratory disease among adults with cerebral palsy

Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) manifest skeletal fragility problems early in life and are vulnerable to nontrauma fracture (NTFx), which may exacerbate the risk of respiratory disease (RD)- the main cause of premature mortality for this population. The purpose of this study was to determine if adults with CP had a greater 12-month risk of RD post-NTFx compared to adults without CP. Data from 2011 to 2017 were leveraged from Optum Clinformatics Data Mart; a claims database from a single private payer in the United States diagnostic codes were used to identify adults (≥18 years) with and without CP, NTFx, incident RD, and pre-NTFx cardiometabolic diseases. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to compare 12-month RD incidence following NTFx with adjustment for sociodemographics and cardiometabolic diseases. Mean age (SD) at baseline was 57.5 (18.4) for adults with CP (n = 646) and 61.8 (19.7) for adults without CP (n = 321,482). During the follow-up, 172 adults with CP (26.6%) and 73 937 adults without CP (23.0%) developed RD. Adults with CP had higher 12-month post-NTFx RD incidence compared to adults without CP (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03-1.37). When stratified by the RD subtype, adults with CP had a higher incidence of pneumonia (HR = 2.15; 95% CI = 1.56-2.95), interstitial/pleura disease (HR = 2.13; 95% CI = 1.53-2.96), and other RD (eg, respiratory failure; HR = 2.33; 95% CI = 1.82-2.98), but not acute respiratory infection (HR = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.75-1.15) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR = 1.15; 95% CI = 0.86-1.53). Among privately insured adults with CP, NTFx is associated with greater risk of RD among adults with vs without CP.

The mortality burden of non-trauma fracture for adults with cerebral palsy

Background

Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) manifest skeletal fragility problems early in life, are vulnerable to non-trauma fracture (NTFx), and have a high burden of premature mortality. No studies have examined the contribution of NTFx to mortality among adults with CP. The purpose of this study was to determine if NTFx is a risk factor for mortality among adults with CP and if NTFx exacerbates mortality risk compared to adults without CP.

Methods

Data from 2011 to 2016 Optum Clinformatics® Data Mart and a random 20% sample Medicare fee-for-service were used for this retrospective cohort study. Diagnosis codes were used to identify adults (18+ years) with and without CP, NTFx, and pre-NTFx comorbidities. Crude mortality rates per 100 person years were estimated. Cox regression estimated hazard ratios (HR and 95% confidence interval [CI]) for mortality, comparing: (1) CP and NTFx (CP + NTFx; n = 1777); (2) CP without NTFx (CP w/o NTFx; n = 12,933); (3) without CP and with NTFx (w/o CP + NTFx; n = 433,560); and (4) without CP and without NTFx (w/o CP w/o NTFx; n = 6.8 M) after adjusting for demographics and pre-NTFx comorbidities.

Results

The 3-, 6-, and 12-month crude mortality rates were highest among CP + NTFx (12-month mortality rate = 6.80), followed by w/o CP + NTFx (12-month mortality rate = 4.91), CP w/o NTFx (12-month mortality rate = 2.15), and w/o CP w/o NTFx (12-month mortality rate = 0.49). After adjustments, the mortality rate was elevated for CP + NTFx for all time points compared to CP w/o NTFx (e.g., 12-month HR = 1.61; 95%CI = 1.29–2.01), w/o CP + NTFx (e.g., 12-month HR = 1.49; 95%CI = 1.24–1.80), and w/o CP w/o NTFx (e.g., 12-month HR = 5.33; 95%CI = 4.42–6.44). There were site-specific effects (vertebral column, lower extremities) on 12-month mortality.

Conclusions

NTFx is associated with an increase of 12-month mortality risk among adults with CP and compared to adults without CP. Findings suggest that NTFx may be a robust risk factor for mortality among adults with CP.

Low-Trauma Fracture Increases 12-Month Incidence of Cardiovascular Disease for Adults With Cerebral Palsy

Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) have poor skeletal and cardiovascular health. However, no studies have examined if skeletal fragility enhances cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk for this population. The purpose of this study was to determine whether adults with CP have higher 12-month CVD incidence following a low-trauma fracture compared with adults without CP. Data, from the Optum Clinformatics® Data Mart, were extracted from adults (18+ years) that sustained a low-trauma fracture between 01/01/2012 and 12/31/2016. The primary outcome measure was incident CVD within 12 months following a low-trauma fracture. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to compare 12-month incident CVD with adjustment for sociodemographics and chronic disease comorbidities. Mean age (SD) at baseline was 54.7 (18.9) for adults with CP (n = 1,025, 43.3% men) and 60.4 (19.7) for adults without CP (n = 460,504, 33.7% men). During the follow-up, 121 adults with CP (11.8%, mean age [SD] = 63.9 [16.3]) and 45,330 adults without CP (9.8%, mean age [SD] = 74.5 [11.9]) developed CVD. In the fully adjusted model, adults with CP had higher 12-month post-fracture CVD incidence (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.37-1.95). When the outcome was stratified by CVD subtype, adults with CP had higher 12-month post-fracture incidence of ischemic heart disease (HR = 1.45; 95% CI = 1.09-1.92), heart failure (HR = 1.68; 95% CI = 1.22-2.31), and cerebrovascular disease (HR = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.54-2.50). Study findings suggest that among adults with CP, low-trauma fracture may enhance 12-month CVD incidence compared with adults without CP. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:803-810, 2020.

The mortality burden attributable to nontrauma fracture for privately insured adults with epilepsy

OBJECTIVE

Individuals with epilepsy have poor bone development and preservation throughout the lifespan and are vulnerable to nontrauma fracture (NTFx) and post-NTFx complications. However, no studies have examined the contribution of NTFx to mortality among adults with epilepsy. The objective was to determine whether NTFx is a risk factor for mortality among adults with epilepsy.

METHODS

Data from 2011 to 2016 were obtained from Optum Clinformatics Data Mart, a nationwide claims database from a single private payer in the United States. Diagnosis codes were used to identify adults (≥18 years old) with epilepsy, NTFx, and covariates (demographics and pre-NTFx cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cancer). Crude mortality rate per 100 person-years was estimated. Cox regression estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined for mortality, comparing epilepsy and NTFx (EP + NTFx; n = 11 471), epilepsy without NTFx (EP without NTFx; n = 50 384), without epilepsy and with NTFx (without EP + NTFx; n = 423 041), and without epilepsy and without NTFx (without EP without NTFx; n = 6.8 million) after adjusting for covariates.

RESULTS

The 3-, 6-, and 12-month crude mortality rates were highest among EP + NTFx (12-month mortality rate = 8.79), followed by without EP + NTFx (12-month mortality rate = 4.80), EP without NTFx (12-month mortality rate = 3.06), and without EP without NTFx (12-month mortality rate = 0.47). After adjustments, the mortality rate was elevated for EP + NTFx for all time points compared to EP without NTFx (eg, 12-month HR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.58-1.85), without EP + NTFx (eg, 12-month HR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.32-1.51), and without EP without NTFx (eg, 12-month HR = 5.23, 95% CI = 4.88-5.60). Stratified analyses showed higher adjusted HRs of 12-month mortality for EP + NTFx for all NTFx sites (ie, vertebral column, hip, extremities), all age categories (young, middle-aged, older), and for both women and men.

SIGNIFICANCE

Among adults with epilepsy and compared to adults without epilepsy, NTFx is associated with a higher 12-month mortality rate. Findings suggest that NTFx may be a robust risk factor for mortality among adults with epilepsy.

The effect of low-trauma fracture on one-year mortality rate among privately insured adults with and without neurodevelopmental disabilities

BACKGROUND

Individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs) have poor development and preservation of skeletal health throughout the lifespan, and are especially vulnerable to low-trauma fracture and post-fracture health complications. However, no studies have examined if adults with NDDs have greater post-fracture mortality risk compared to adults without NDDs. The purpose of this study was to determine whether adults with NDDs have greater 12-month mortality rates following a low-trauma fracture compared to adults without NDDs.

METHODS

Data from 2011 to 2017 was leveraged from Optum Clinformatics® Data Mart; a nationwide claims database from a single private payer in the U.S. Data were extracted from adults (18+ years) with and without NDDs that sustained a low-trauma fracture between 01/01/2012-12/31/2016, as well as pre-fracture chronic diseases (i.e., cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, cancer). Mortality rate was estimated for adults with and without NDDs, and the mortality rate ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI for 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month post-fracture mortality rates between adults with and without NDDs after adjusting for age, sex, race, U.S. region, and pre-fracture chronic diseases.

RESULTS

Mean age (SD) at baseline was 56.7 (20.6) for adults with NDDs (n = 3749; 45.2% men) and 63.9 (19.2) for adults without NDDs (n = 585,910; 34.4% men). During the 12-month follow-up period, 182 adults with NDDs (mean age [SD] = 69.8 [14.7]; 46.2% men) and 25,456 adults without NDDs (mean age [SD] = 78.9 [9.8]; 38.3% men) died. Crude mortality rate was not different between adults with and without NDDs for any time points (e.g., 12-months: 5.40 vs. 4.96 per 100 person years; RR = 1.09; 95% CI = 0.94-1.26); however, it was greater for adults with intellectual disabilities compared to adults without NDDs (RR = 1.46; 95% CI = 1.23-1.79). After adjustments, adults with NDDs had greater post-fracture mortality rates for 3-, 6-, and 12-month time points (e.g., 12-months: HR = 1.46; 95% CI = 1.27-1.69). When stratified by the type of NDD, adults with intellectual disabilities and adults with autism spectrum disorders, but not adults with cerebral palsy, had greater 12-month post-fracture mortality risk. When stratified by fracture location, lower extremities were associated with greater crude mortality rate (RR = 1.69; 95% CI = 1.22-2.35) and adjusted mortality risk (HR = 2.41; 95% CI = 1.73-3.35), while upper extremities were associated with greater adjusted mortality risk (HR = 1.76; 95% CI = 1.23-2.50) for adults with vs. without NDDs.

CONCLUSIONS

Among privately insured adults with NDDs, low-trauma fracture is associated with greater mortality risk within 1 year of the fracture event, even after adjusting for pre-fracture chronic diseases. Study findings suggest the need for earlier fracture prevention strategies and improved post-fracture healthcare management.

Adults with Cerebral Palsy have Higher Prevalence of Fracture Compared with Adults Without Cerebral Palsy Independent of Osteoporosis and Cardiometabolic Diseases

Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) have an increased risk of fracture throughout their lifespan based on an underdeveloped musculoskeletal system, excess body fat, diminished mechanical loading, and early development of noncommunicable diseases. However, the epidemiology of fracture among adults with CP is unknown. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of fracture among a large sample of privately insured adults with CP, as compared with adults without CP. Data were from the Optum Clinformatics Data Mart (Eden Prairie, MN, USA), a deidentified nationwide claims database of beneficiaries from a single private payer. Diagnostic codes were used to identify 18- to 64-year-old beneficiaries with and without CP and any fracture that consisted of osteoporotic pathological fracture as well as any type of fracture of the head/neck, thoracic, lumbar/pelvic, upper extremity, and lower extremity regions. The prevalence of any fracture was compared between adults with (n = 5,555) and without (n = 5.5 million) CP. Multivariable logistic regression was performed with all-cause fracture as the outcome and CP group as the primary exposure. Adults with CP had a higher prevalence of all-cause fracture (6.3% and 2.7%, respectively) and fracture of the head/neck, thoracic, lumbar/pelvic, upper extremity, and lower extremity regions compared with adults without CP (all p < 0.01). After adjusting for sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables, adults with CP had higher odds of all-cause fracture compared with adults without CP (OR 2.5; 95% CI, 2.2 to 2.7). After further adjusting for cardiometabolic diseases, adults with CP had higher odds of all-cause fracture compared with adults without CP (OR 2.2; 95% CI, 2.0 to 2.5). After further adjusting for osteoporosis, adults with CP still had higher odds of all-cause fracture compared with adults without CP (OR 2.0; 95% CI, 1.8 to 2.2). These findings suggest that young and middle-aged adults with CP have an elevated prevalence of all-cause fracture compared with adults without CP, which was present even after accounting for cardiometabolic diseases and osteoporosis. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Epidemiology of hip fractures : Systematic literature review of German data and an overview of the international literature

BACKGROUND

Hip fractures are regarded as a worldwide epidemic and a major public health concern. Changing risk factors, local differences and temporal trends contribute to the particular epidemiology of hip fractures. This overview gives a comprehensive insight into the epidemiology of hip fractures and reviews where German data have contributed to the literature.

METHODS

The review of the epidemiology of hip fractures in Germany is based on a systematic literature search in PubMed. Information about the global epidemiology of hip fractures was provided by a selective literature review focusing on specific aspects of the epidemiology of hip fractures.

RESULTS

Hip fracture rates vary more than 100-fold between different countries. In most high-income countries, a rise in age-standardized hip fracture rates was observed until the 1980s and 1990s and a decrease thereafter. Such a decrease has not been observed for Germany so far. Many factors, diseases and drugs have been found to be associated with hip fractures and there is some evidence that fracture risk in later life is already programmed during fetal life and early childhood. Of the hip fracture burden 50% occur in people with disability and in need of care. In nursing homes approximately 4 fractures can be expected in 100 women per year. In people with intellectual or developmental disabilities comparable risks of hip fracture occur 10-40 years earlier than in the general population. Incidence of disability, institutionalization and death are frequent consequences of hip fractures.

CONCLUSION

The epidemiology of hip fractures is characterized by a high burden of disease, local differences, temporal trends, well-defined high-risk populations and many established risk factors.

Validation of intellectual disability coding through hospital morbidity records using an intellectual disability population-based database in Western Australia

OBJECTIVES

To investigate how well intellectual disability (ID) can be ascertained using hospital morbidity data compared with a population-based data source.

DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

All children born in 1983-2010 with a hospital admission in the Western Australian Hospital Morbidity Data System (HMDS) were linked with the Western Australian Intellectual Disability Exploring Answers (IDEA) database. The International Classification of Diseases hospital codes consistent with ID were also identified.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The characteristics of those children identified with ID through either or both sources were investigated.

RESULTS

Of the 488 905 individuals in the study, 10 218 (2.1%) were identified with ID in either IDEA or HMDS with 1435 (14.0%) individuals identified in both databases, 8305 (81.3%) unique to the IDEA database and 478 (4.7%) unique to the HMDS dataset only. Of those unique to the HMDS dataset, about a quarter (n=124) had died before 1 year of age and most of these (75%) before 1 month. Children with ID who were also coded as such in the HMDS data were more likely to be aged under 1 year, female, non-Aboriginal and have a severe level of ID, compared with those not coded in the HMDS data. The sensitivity of using HMDS to identify ID was 14.7%, whereas the specificity was much higher at 99.9%.

CONCLUSION

Hospital morbidity data are not a reliable source for identifying ID within a population, and epidemiological researchers need to take these findings into account in their study design.

Utilizing Combined Claims and Clinical Datasets for Research Among Potential Cases of Rare Diseases

With data quality issues with administrative claims and medically derived datasets, a dataset derived from a combination of sources may be more effective for research. The purposes of this article is to link an EMR-based data warehouse with state administrative data to study individuals with rare diseases; to describe and compare their characteristics; and to explore research with the data. These methods included subjects with diagnosis codes for one of three rare diseases from the years 2009-2014; Spina Bifida, Muscular Dystrophy, and Fragile X Syndrome. The results from the combined data provides additional information that each dataset, by itself, would not contain. The simultaneous examination of data such as race/ethnicity, physician and other outpatient visit data, charges and payments, and overall utilization was possible in the combined dataset. It is also discussed that combining such datasets can be a useful tool for the study of populations with rare diseases.