Population-Based Linkage of AIDS and Cancer Registries

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 com...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of preventive medicine 2007, Vol.33 (2), p.134-136
Main Authors: Deapen, Dennis, DrPH, Cockburn, Myles, PhD, Pinder, Rich, Lu, Sharon, MPH, Wohl, Amy Rock, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Internal Medicine
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0749-3797
1873-2607
DOI:10.1016/j.amepre.2007.03.015