title: A research database for improved data management and analysis in longitudinal studies.
abstract: We developed a research database for a five-year prospective investigation of the medical, social, and developmental correlates of chronic lung disease during the first three years of life. We used the Ingres database management system and the Statit statistical software package. The database includes records containing 1300 variables each, the results of 35 psychological tests, each repeated five times (providing longitudinal data on the child, the parents, and behavioral interactions), both raw and calculated variables, and both missing and deferred values. The four-layer menu-driven user interface incorporates automatic activation of complex functions to handle data verification, missing and deferred values, static and dynamic backup, determination of calculated values, display of database status, reports, bulk data extraction, and statistical analysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bielefeld
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Yamashita
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Kerekes
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ercanli
authors.forename: L T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Singer
mesh_terms: D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003628:Database Management Systems; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012984:Software