One of the goals of Heart4Data is to create links between various data sources (See workpackage 6) and the NHR registration for heart failure. For example, the link with Central Bureau of Statistics microdata. This research by Yvonne Koop et al, the Octopus Follow-Up study, has implemented and tested this link.
The Octopus follow-up study investigated the long-term outcomes of three different treatments for coronary artery disease: on-pump CABG, off-pump CABG, and PCI. This was made possible by an innovative data linkage between CBS Microdata and the NHR Quality Registry, extending the original follow-up period for mortality rates and re-interventions from 5 years to 20 years.
The correct linkage between the two data sources ranged from 84% to 98%. This research demonstrates that it is possible to successfully link clinical data to national databases. This can improve the reliability and completeness of long-term prognoses. This methodology opens the door for large-scale evaluations of patient outcomes, especially for long-term follow-up studies.
