Journal
CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
Volume 9, Issue -, Pages 185-193Publisher
DOVE MEDICAL PRESS LTD
DOI: 10.2147/CLEP.S129879
Keywords
observational studies; health care databases; confounding
Categories
Funding
- Program for Clinical Research Infrastructure (PROCRIN)
- AHRC [AH/M005917/1] Funding Source: UKRI
- Arts and Humanities Research Council [AH/M005917/1] Funding Source: researchfish
- Lundbeck Foundation [R155-2014-2647] Funding Source: researchfish
- Novo Nordisk Fonden [NNF14SA0015794] Funding Source: researchfish
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Population-based health care databases are a valuable tool for observational studies as they reflect daily medical practice for large and representative populations. A constant challenge in observational designs is, however, to rule out confounding, and the value of these databases for a given study question accordingly depends on completeness and validity of the information on confounding factors. In this article, we describe the types of potential confounding factors typically lacking in large health care databases and suggest strategies for confounding control when data on important confounders are unavailable. Using Danish health care databases as examples, we present the use of proxy measures for important confounders and the use of external adjustment. We also briefly discuss the potential value of active comparators, high-dimensional propensity scores, self-controlled designs, pseudorandomization, and the use of positive or negative controls.
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