title: [Database linkage for surveillance of the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic in Brazil, 2009-2010].
abstract: Based on database linkage, the objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological profile of notified cases and deaths from the new viral subtype of influenza during the influenza pandemic. Secondary data were used from the SINAN (Information System for Notifiable Diseases) and SIM (Mortality Information System) for the years 2009 and 2010. Linkage identified 5,973 deaths of cases notified as pandemic influenza. Of these, 2,170 (36.33%) had been classified in the SINAN as confirmed pandemic influenza, 215 (3.6%) as due to other infectious agents, and 3,340 (55.92%) as ruled out. After linkage, some cases in the SINAN database that were closed as death from influenza (n = 658) or death from other causes (n = 847) could not be located in the SIM database. Database linkage can improve the surveillance system and monitoring of morbidity and mortality. We recommend strengthening influenza surveillance in Brazil using linkage of Ministry of Health databases.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil.
authors.forename: Erika Valeska
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Rossetto
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil.
authors.forename: Expedito José de Albuquerque
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Luna
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002423:Cause of Death; D015897:Comorbidity; D016208:Databases, Factual; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D058873:Pandemics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*