The Danish Urogynaecological Database: establishment, completeness and validity

Abstract

The Danish Urogynaecological Database (DugaBase) is a nationwide clinical database established in 2006 to monitor, ensure and improve the quality of urogynaecological surgery. We aimed to describe its establishment and completeness and to validate selected variables. This is the first study based on data from the DugaBase. The database completeness was calculated as a comparison between urogynaecological procedures reported to the Danish National Patient Registry and to the DugaBase. Validity was assessed for selected variables from a random sample of 200 women in the DugaBase from 1 January 2009 to 31 October 2010, using medical records as a reference. A total of 16,509 urogynaecological procedures were registered in the DugaBase by 31 December 2010. The database completeness has increased by calendar time, from 38.2 % in 2007 to 93.2 % in 2010 for public hospitals. All medical records were retrievable for the validation study. The overall percent agreement was at least 90 % for the following variables: surgical procedure code, hospital department, date of surgery, use of antibiotic prophylaxis, prior gynaecological surgery, height, weight, parity and smoking. The database completeness of the DugaBase has improved over time, now with a nearly complete registration from all public hospitals in Denmark. The overall percent agreement between selected variables and medical records is high. We conclude that due to the high degree of database completeness and data of high validity the DugaBase offers a unique possibility for continuing quality assessment of urogynaecological surgery in Denmark and future research.