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In defense of death data

An example with multiple sclerosis

From the Neuroepidemidogy Research Program (Dr. Kurtzke) and Neurology Service (Drs. Kurtzke and Lux), Veterans Administration Medical Center, and the Departments of Neurology (Drs. Kurtzke and Lux) and of Community and Family Medicine (Dr. Kurtzke), Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC.

In epidemiologic studies, mortality data can provide large numbers of cases of broad geographic extent, but diagnostic errors and case ascertainment bias may be present. We found that the geographic distribution of MS in the United States, as derived from mortality data, was comparable with that derived from a large, nationwide case-control study. In MS, evaluation of mortality provides an accurate picture of national geographic distribution supportable by more sophisticated methods. Although conclusions drawn from mortality data could be misleading, they may be accurate and are certainly worthy of further study.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Kurtzke, Neurology Service, 127, VA Medical Center, 50 Irving Street, NW, Washington, DC 20422.

Accepted for publication April 1, 1986

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				J. Kurtzke Some contributions of the Department of Veterans Affairs to the epidemiology of multiple sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis, September 1, 2008; 14(8): 1007 - 1012. [Abstract] [PDF]