title: Large-scale, population-based epidemiological studies with record linkage can be done in Germany.
abstract: Record linkage is an invaluable tool for many epidemiological studies. So far, however, in Europe it has mainly been used in Scandinavian countries with nationwide registration systems. Using the example of a large retrospective cohort study among migrants, we show that this method is also feasible in Germany, a country without central registries and unique identification numbers for citizens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Tropical Hygiene and Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Germany. Ulrich.Ronellenfitsch@urz.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ronellenfitsch
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kyobutungi
authors.forename: Heiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Becher
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Razum
mesh_terms: D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008498:Medical Record Linkage; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014171:Transients and Migrants