Population-based linkage of AIDS and cancer registries: importance of linkage algorithm.
BACKGROUND
This study evaluates linkage algorithms used in 1997 for Los Angeles County by the AIDS-Cancer Match Registry to estimate the risk of cancer among people with HIV/AIDS.


METHODS
In 2001, a linkage between the Los Angeles County cancer and AIDS registries using a five-pass algorithm was compared with the 1997 linkage results that used a two-pass algorithm.


RESULTS
The five-pass linkage detected all of the previously identified matches (6571) as well as another 431 (6.2%), which had been missed.


CONCLUSIONS
Record linkage methodologic decisions can markedly affect matching sensitivity and specificity. It is probable that the AIDS-Cancer Match Registry two-pass linkage has underestimated the risks of some cancers among people with AIDS.
Deapen
Dennis
D
Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine and Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA. ddeapen@usc.edu
Cockburn
Myles
M
Pinder
Rich
R
Lu
Sharon
S
Wohl
Amy Rock
AR
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000465:Algorithms; D015897:Comorbidity; D019992:Databases as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007256:Information Systems; D015141:Los Angeles / Q000453:epidemiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology