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Generalisability of pharmacoepidemiological studies using restricted prescription data

Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) volume 185, pages 723–727 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Linking medication databases to disease registries enables population-based pharmacoepidemiology research. In Ireland, country-wide dispensing data is available only from the means-tested government-medical cards scheme. This restriction may impact generalisability of analyses based on these data.

Aim

Gender was previously identified as predictor of card status so we aimed to compare women with and without medical cards at the time of ovarian cancer diagnosis.

Methods

Ovarian cancers diagnosed 2001–2010 were identified from the National Cancer Registry Ireland. Age, region, deprivation, smoking, employment and marital status were evaluated using logistic regression for associations with card status. Cumulative incidence of de novo card receipt post-diagnosis was assessed.

Results

1778 (52 %) of 3396 women with incident ovarian cancer had a card at diagnosis (<70:33 %; 70+:87 %). Within those <70, all variables were significantly associated with card status at diagnosis. 52 % of those without a card at diagnosis received one post-diagnosis.

Conclusions

Although medical card coverage within ovarian cancer patients is similar to the general population, various factors predict card status. Particularly within those under 70, external validity needs to be considered when interpreting pharamcoepidemiological analyses using these data.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Tumour Registration Officers at the National Cancer Registry who collect the data and the Primary Care Reimbursement Service for providing access to medical card records. We are grateful for the insightful comments and suggestions received from the reviewers. This work was funded by a project research grant from the Health Research Board Ireland. The registry receives funding from the Department of Health, Ireland.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Cancer Registry Ireland, Building 6800, Cork Airport Business Park, Kinsale Rd, Cork City, Cork, Ireland

    C. Brown, D. MacDonald, F. Dwane & L. Sharp

  2. Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland

    T. I. Barron & K. Bennett

  3. Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK

    L. Sharp

Authors
  1. C. Brown
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  2. T. I. Barron
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  3. K. Bennett
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  4. D. MacDonald
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  5. F. Dwane
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  6. L. Sharp
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. Brown.

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Brown, C., Barron, T.I., Bennett, K. et al. Generalisability of pharmacoepidemiological studies using restricted prescription data. Ir J Med Sci 185, 723–727 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-015-1360-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-015-1360-z

Keywords

  • Pharmacoepidemiology
  • Prescriptions
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Routine data
  • External validity
  • Generalisability