Kongju National University Reports Findings in Information Technology (Adjusting for Confounders in Outcome Studies Using the Korea National Health Insurance Claim Database: A Review of Methods and Applications): Information Technology

2023 DEC 11 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Information Technology Business Daily -- New research on Information Technology is the subject of a report. According to news reporting originating from Gongju, South Korea, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, “Adjusting for potential confounders is crucial for producing valuable evidence in outcome studies. Although numerous studies have been published using the Korea National Health Insurance Claim Database, no study has critically reviewed the methods used to adjust for confounders.”

Our news editors obtained a quote from the research from Kongju National University, “This study aimed to review these studies and suggest methods and applications to adjust for confounders. We conducted a literature search of electronic databases, including PubMed and Embase, from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022. In total, 278 studies were retrieved. Eligibility criteria were published in English and outcome studies. A literature search and article screening were independently performed by 2 authors and finally, 173 of 278 studies were included. Thirty-nine studies used matching at the study design stage, and 171 adjusted for confounders using regression analysis or propensity scores at the analysis stage. Of these, 125 conducted regression analyses based on the study questions. Propensity score matching was the most common method involving propensity scores. A total of 171 studies included age and/or sex as confounders. Comorbidities and healthcare utilization, including medications and procedures, were used as confounders in 146 and 82 studies, respectively. This is the first review to address the methods and applications used to adjust for confounders in recently published studies.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “Our results indicate that all studies adjusted for confounders with appropriate study designs and statistical methodologies; however, a thorough understanding and careful application of confounding variables are required to avoid erroneous results.”

For more information on this research see: Adjusting for Confounders in Outcome Studies Using the Korea National Health Insurance Claim Database: A Review of Methods and Applications. Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, 2023.

The news editors report that additional information may be obtained by contacting Kyoung-Hoon Kim, Dept. of Health Administration, College of Nursing and Health, Kongju National University, Gongju, South Korea.

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