Spurious trends in coronary heart disease incidence: unintended consequences of the new GP contract?
Comparisons of the same patient data in 2004 and 2006 downloads of the DIN-LINK UK primary care database demonstrated unexpected differences in the rates of coronary heart disease between the datasets. Incidence rates were lower between 1996-2003 in the new (2006) download. Patient record checks demonstrated that coronary heart disease codes had been removed in the new download during the run-up to the new contract. Planners need to be aware of such issues when evaluating trends in CHD or other similar conditions.
Carey
Iain M
IM
Division of Community Health Sciences, St George's, London.
Dewilde
Stephen
S
Harris
Tess
T
Whincup
Peter H
PH
Cook
Derek G
DG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology